DEVELOPERS are taking their third shot at a controversial plan to build over 100 homes on the Horwich Golf Club site.

Northstone, the housebuilding branch of Peel L&P, is hoping to submit new plans to Bolton Council, proposing 150 houses, parkland space, and areas for community use.

The latest plans, which are around half the size of the original proposal, will be put forward for consideration alongside an appeal against the council's decision to deny permission for 276 homes at the site earlier this year.

At a planning committee meeting in January, the plans were unanimously rejected after councillors said the development would be inappropriate for the protected site, which does not have full green belt status, and raised concerns about traffic.

This application followed a planning inquiry into the original 300 house plan, where a government inspector said the plans were unacceptable.

The firm claims to have made "significant changes" to address the concerns, and wants another public inquiry into the second refusal.

Jon England, development director at the firm said: “We recognise that development of Horwich Golf Club has previously been sensitive amongst the local community, but we are currently drawing up plans which we strongly believe will respond to feedback received in relation to the previous applications.

“This will be a very different application – we want to deliver high-quality, design-led developments that provide much more than just bricks and mortar, but we can only make this a reality by working with the community.

"We will be showcasing our plans over the coming weeks and inviting local people and community groups to tell us what they think about the plans so that we can deliver a scheme local people can be proud of.”

The firm has expressed an interest in creating new habitats for wildlife in the area, and wants the development to add "lasting value to the community".

Northstone is currently on site at the 150-home Silkash development in Westhoughton, having received planning permission last summer.

A public consultation into the latest plans will be launched in the next few weeks, with leaflet drops and virtual viewings giving residents the chance to have their say.