RESIDENTS expressed their concerns for wildlife, highways and schools if an extra 174 homes are built at Bowlands Hey.

Their comments were made at the second day of a public inquiry into the next phase of the Westhoughton development.

Denise Roscoe, who lives in Wingates, stressed the importance of open space for "untidy nature" to exist.

The Church Lane resident said there is good breeding habitat for Skylarks near the site and that Yellowhammers were found in large numbers until the Wingates Industrial Estate was built.

She said: “I don’t know where the wildlife will go, there will be so little open space left. With the loss of all this meadow and farmland, Bowlands Hey will be of even greater importance for wildlife."

Mrs Roscoe also raised the issue of congested highways and oversubscribed health and education facilities, something which the council has chosen to withdraw as a reason for refusal.

She added: “We have major issues with traffic congestion, schools and doctors. Local people are at a loss to understand why Planning have removed these points from their original refusal of permission.

“Our main roads are old and narrow and they were never designed to take as much traffic as they do.”

Paul Heaton, a trustee on Westhoughton Golf Course, shared his concerns about visibility on Old Lane which is used by pedestrians, dog walkers and horseriders.

Two other Westhoughton residents expressed their concerns yesterday. The inquiry continues today.