A NEW industrial development on protected countryside land has been put on hold after the developer behind the plans was accused of not offering enough back to the surrounding area.

Harworth Group, the company behind Logistics North, told councillors that its new scheme in Wingates would build on the success of the Over Hulton site and provide a further 1,500 jobs.

But the planning committee feared the impact such a development would have on traffic and air quality in the area.

The landowner, which submitted an application for the project a year ago, has been asked to reconsider its plans and potentially move it further away from the A6 as councillors voted to defer their decision.

Westhoughton North councillor Christine Wild said she believes that the development does not meet the “very special circumstances” required to build on green belt land.

She said: “We need to avoid the gobbling up of our green areas and ensure that future generations have somewhere to walk and enjoy the amenities and breathe clean air.”

Ex-council leader Linda Thomas asked what else the developer is proposing to deliver to the local community.

The Westhoughton resident used Cutacre Country Park as an example of how Over Hulton has benefited from the new industrial site which is now almost complete. She said: “There’s got to be something in it for the local people if you want to compare it to the success of Logistics North.”

Cllr David Wilkinson also noted that access to the Over Hulton site is straight off the motorway whereas this development would result in lorries using residential roads such as Church Road as well as the “congested” Chorley Road.

But resident Denise Roscoe, who spoke at the meeting, urged the committee to refuse permission for the development.

She said: “The intention is clear and that is to industrialise this whole area of green belt land.”

Harworth Group confirmed that it intends to purchase land around the application site and that it already owns some land to the south of it.

A spokesman said: "Members at Committee have made clear their views, particularly in wanting clearer information in relation to Highways upgrades and public benefit from the proposed development. We'll now work hard as a team to properly address these concerns over forthcoming weeks."