CONTROVERSIAL plans for 209 homes on playing fields have been put on hold after an IT hitch meant residents could not access the proposals.

Bellway Homes’ plan to develop the former St George’s RC High fields, off Hilton Lane in Walkden, was already deferred in May.

Town hall officers had recommended that the plans were approved prior to the meeting yesterday.

But councillors agreed to postpone the decision again.

A council officer told them that – while the town hall had ‘fulfilled its statutory duty’ – there had been IT issues which meant some residents and councillors had difficulty accessing the documents on the planning portal.

He said: “An investigation by the IT team found there was an issue publishing some documents to the website.

"So unfortunately it’s unclear as to whether residents have had sufficient opportunity to view those plans.”

Councillors decided the decision should be postponed until the next planning meeting later this month.

The application itself has been a long-running and controversial one.

The 16-acre site is owned by Salford council but earlier this year ‘No Trespassing, Private Land’ signs had been put up, despite the fact that no planning permission had been granted.

Residents argued that the land is used by dog walkers and locals.

When the application was last deferred, councillors questioned whether the traffic information provided in the planning documents was up-to-date.

The most recent documents said that surveys show that the impact of upon the highway network ‘is not considered to be severe’.

At May’s meeting, councillors heard that houses would mean the loss of a ‘green lung’; would be a strain on local services; and worsen pollution.

Councillors also heard from residents who criticised Bellway Homes’ recent Swinton development, and those who said there is potential for much increased congestion.

The council received 52 objections ahead of Thursday's meeting which ranged from concerns about parking to loss of green space.

One person also said they had been unable to lodge their comments online.

Bellway bosses say they have engaged with the public on the proposed development and that they have worked ‘proactively and positively’ with council officers to make sure the homes would fit in with the surroundings.

They say that 20 percent of the three and four-bedroom homes would be affordable.

Bellway would also make a contribution of £1.4m in section 106 money, which would go towards bus improvements, school places and park improvements.

The plans should come back before Salford council’s planning panel on July 25.