A HOUSING association has defended its controversial plans for a new development at much-loved green fields.

Bolton At Home, which wants to buy Pickup's Fields from the council for around half a million pounds, says its plans for 48 affordable homes are being confused with a profit-driven development.

Chief executive Jon Lord said he understands why people are wary of the proposal, but wants to dispel "myths" circulating online which "misrepresent" the organisation's objectives.

He said: "We’re a community benefit society trying to provide desperately-needed affordable homes of good quality, which can be seen in the new homes we’ve built over the past three years. We’re not a private developer looking to build as many houses as possible.We’re not in this for the money."

"Our remit is simply to build affordable homes where they are needed. We do this based on clear evidence of demand and we do it in a sensitive way, following local consultation. We’re not trying to build expensive gated mansions, but houses for working people."

Mr Lord has made the comments ahead of tomorrow's town hall meeting at which councillors will have their say on whether the council-owed land should be sold for housing.

This comes after a scrutiny committee recommended that the land should be kept as a green space for the Horwich community.

Plan to build the 48 houses behind Singleton Avenue were refused by the planning committee last month after 456 objections were received.

But Bolton At Home, which is looking to appeal the decision, believes that some residents were encouraged to object to the development without being made aware of all the facts.

Mr Lord said there has been a lot of misinformation circulating about the future of neighbouring playing fields.

He said: “People see social media posts and reports that we’re building homes on playing fields and it creates the impression we’re carpeting green space with houses. We don’t randomly pick on particular areas. We’re not trying to build on every inch of available land."

The plot of land in question, which is separate to the adjacent Green Lane playing fields, was earmarked for housing by the council five years ago.

If the plans are approved, rents would be capped below the affordable rent rate, which is usually set at 80% of the market rent level in an area, for 40 of the homes.

The other eight homes would be made available for shared ownership, allowing people to get on the property ladder in a more affordable way.

Deputy council leader Martyn Cox will have the final say on whether the land is sold.

Since August last year, 15 three-bedroom homes became available to rent from Bolton at Home in Horwich with an average of 169 applications from people per property.

In the same period 14 two-bedroom affordable homes became available, with each one averaging 114 applications.

The Right to Buy and Right to Acquire have also affected the amount of affordable housing available to rent, according to Mr Lord, reducing the number of two and three-bedroom Bolton at Home houses in Horwich by 34% since 2011.

He added: “Our figures show there are many, many people in Horwich who want to continue living there to stay close to their families and the places where they grew up, but they are struggling to find affordable homes. Our proposed homes would help a number of people who already live in Horwich and use local services and schools.

“I understand why people ask if the homes can be built somewhere else but, as a community benefit society, we’re building affordable homes for people not profit. It means we look to build where new homes are needed, where land is available and where it’s financially viable to do so.”

Bolton at Home aims to provide 1,400 new homes by April 2024.