PLANS for the second phase of a 1,700-home development has been revealed – and it is the largest yet.

A total of 402 houses would be built at Horwich Loco Works if the latest application by Morris Homes is given the go ahead.

This is the first application by the Cheshire-based developer at the Rivington Chase site.

It follows Bellway Homes' Barton Quarter development of 112 houses in 2017, where 25 properties have already been sold and nine have had their first residents move in.

Deputy leader Marty Cox, who is responsible for development and regeneration, welcomed this latest application.

It proposes a mix of apartments, townhouses and mews properties as well as 99 semi-detached and 240 detached houses.

The development would have six one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units, 209 three-bedroom units and 171 four-bedroom units.

The properties would predominantly be two-storeys in height, with some units to be as tall as three-storeys.

Occupants would benefit from off-road parking with 173 dwellings having a detached garage and 94 having an internal garage.

Horwich and Blackrod First Independents councillor Marie Brady wanted to examine the details further before giving her verdict.

The civil engineer will be looking closely at access to highways and the provision of open spaces.

She said: "There appears not to be the green space that we thought was agreed. The original masterplan showed areas of green space linking. There seems to be one corridor running through but that appears to be it. But it needs a lot of examination to understand the implications."

Labour councillor Kevin McKeon said this stage of the development was "long expected".

He said: "Obviously, the planning committee will have to look carefully at the application to make sure it's appropriate for the overall development."

Councillors on the planning committee will decide the outcome of the application.