HERITAGE chiefs who objected to an historic train yard being knocked down to make way for a new road have criticised the council out for not considering his alternative proposal.

Stuart Whittle, chairman of Horwich Heritage, complained to the council following the planning committee meeting at which councillors voted to grant permission for the new road.

The new link road, which will serve the ongoing Rivington Chase housing development of up to 1,700 homes, was passed last month despite objections.

The £12m road will connect Horwich Town centre and Chorley New Road to Middlebrook retail park, Horwich railway station, and the M61 via the new Rivington Chase development.

But the Horwich Loco Works erecting shop will be demolished to make way for the spine road at the regeneration site.

Town hall planners were asked to consider an alternative route – dismissed by the developer as "not viable" – which were put forward by a local heritage group in a bid to save the historic building.

However, Mr Whittle claims that additional documents, with supporting written representations, were not included in the report given to councillors on the day.

He then addressed councillors on the committee who were due to make a decision referring to the document which he claims was not included in the report.

He said: "This, I believe, placed me – and members – at a significant disadvantage when it came to outlining my case in only three minutes."

Planning committee chair John Walsh gave councillors two minutes to read the "quite detailed" additional paperwork which were tabled ahead of the meeting, advising members to consider Mr Whittle's proposal.

But the council said that the documents which Mr Whittle submitted were summarised in the document pack and were sent to committee members before the meeting.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of these concerns and would like to reassure residents that due process has been followed.

“The documents were summarised and included in the late list which members receive on the day of committee.

“We also went a step further - the additional documents were e-mailed to planning committee members in advance of the planning meeting. Members were also given extra time to review the documents at the meeting.”