PLANS to build a housing estate next to a former tip once earmarked for a controversial cycle track could go ahead as the council's decision has been overturned.

The 42-home estate on the disused railway cutting site in Kearsley was refused planning permission because of its proximity to Singing Clough, previously the preferred location for the "Jason Kenny cycle track".

The proposal was thrown out by councillors after reports were brought to the attention of the planning committee by Kearsley councillor Julie Pattison warning of the dangers associated with the adjacent site.

One report described the former landfill as a "ticking time bomb" while another said it must be left untouched for a century.

But now a planning inspector has allowed an appeal by developer W Maher and Sons which means the housing development at the site north of Springfield Road is approved in principle.

In his decision, John Dowsett referred to site investigations which took place after contamination concerns were raised.

He said: "These conclude that there is no significant contamination on the appeal site itself and that, due to the distance and nature of the soils between the closed landfill and the appeal site, there is a low risk of migration of contaminants or landfill gas from the closed landfill to the appeal site.

"It is also concluded that due to the length of time since the closure of the landfill site that any gas production from putrescible waste will be now be at low levels."

The inspector also addressed concerns about impact the development would have on the living conditions of residents in nearby properties.

He was satisfied that measures to be taken to mitigate noise and vibration from construction would comply with national requirements.

Kearsley councillor Paul Heslop said that he is "extremely disappointed" that the housing development has been allowed to go ahead.

He expressed "grave concerns" about unsettling the "toxic waste" surrounding the site.

The initial plans for the housing development also involve using the site between Bolton Road and Springfield Road as an infill for soil and clay.

He said: "Kearsley is a dumping ground for the development's waste. And the impact of shifting that waste and the misery inflicted on residents – it’s a real concern for us. Thousands of trucks carrying 20 tonnes of rubble on each trip."