Plans for the "sale of the century" have been withdrawn by Bolton council chiefs where 30 sites and properties across the borough were being put up to auction.

The proposals were put forward in reports to Cllr Martyn Cox, deputy council leader, on Monday August 24 at an executive council meeting, however, these have now been withdrawn.

These reports have received vocal opposition from the Bolton Labour group.

30 sites, including land and property, across the borough were intended to form part of a mega-deal, resulting in housing projects involving major Bolton landlords, such as Bolton at Home and Bolton Community Housing.

Cllr Martyn Cox said these reports had been withdrawn so "work could be done on it" as they "always wanted to get it right" and that there was "more work required" to be done to the plans.

He said: "We took the decision to withdraw these reports, and it is going to be discussed further in some form, it will be coming back for discussion."

Under the proposed deal sites in Hollycroft Avenue and Inverberg Drive, Breightmet, Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, Yarrow Place and Eskrick Street, Halliwell, and Cricketers Way, Westhoughton, would be offered at market value to Bolton at Home.

In a similar deal, Bolton Community Homes would acquire locations in Plodder Lane and Century Lodge, Farnworth, Ramsbottom Street, Deane, and Back Minorca Street and Roxalina Street, Great Lever.

And Hive Homes, a partnership between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and district councils, would be sold Breightmet sites at Newby Road, Earles Farm and Greenroyd Avenue.

Six other sites in Farnworth, Greater Lever, Breightmet, Astley Bridge, Halliwell and Deane would be placed up for grabs on the open market.

This was designed to raise £9 million for the town hall's coffers, amongst other properties that were going to be put up for auction.

Bolton Labour group leader, Nick Peel, said he is not happy that these pieces of land were potentially going to be put for auction without ward councillors fully consulted.

He said: "I have asked questions to the chief executive about what was the official reason items were withdrawn when we needed to be consulting ward council members about land that was going to be potentially put up for auction in their areas."

Cllr Richard Silvester, Horwich North East and shadow strategic housing and planning councillor, said: "I am completely against the sale of green space land in Horwich by the Conservative Council. They should not be sold; they are public assets for the community.

"I will be campaigning against this. I have a 100% record of being against any green spaces being built on in Horwich. I managed to get Cedar Avenue playing field stopped from being built on and instead achieved Village Green status for it. I am therefore particularly annoyed that the Conservative deputy leader is proposing to sell off the playing field located between Thirlmere Avenue and Telford Street.

"He should withdraw his plans because this field is much loved by local children and residents for play and recreation. It would be shocking for it to be lost."