HUNDREDS of people have put their name to a campaign against the building a new secondary school in a popular park.

Haslam Park in Deane has been earmarked to house Bolton's second Kings Leadership School to meet demand for places.

Residents in Deane are upset about losing a park, and two petitions are circulation in protest against the development.

They say their concerns centre around loss of green space, the increase in traffic on an already busy road, and the dangers of the main road.

One resident, James Bottomley, started a petition on Change.org.

He said: “Haslam Park is a local leisure and nature spot for locals of the Deane area.

“It’s so refreshing to see the elderly generation still out enjoying themselves with friends during a game of bowls.

"Socialising and staying in touch with friends as they don’t necessarily have someone at home.

“Many of them have used this park since school days from the original White Bank school before Haslam park.

“Local traffic disruptions are bad enough as it is with Wigan Road being the main route in and out of Bolton from surrounding areas via the M61.

"Peak times are bad enough and do not need adding to."

Alan Johnson, Green Party candidate for the Rumworth ward set up a petition on Action Network.

He said:“We are not opposing the building of new schools, but we are opposing the place where it will be built.

“Haslam park is a nature reserve and people in the area are up in arms because the planning states it will cover two thirds of the green space whilst also adding more biodiversity, but it will not add biodiversity, it will take it away.”

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Anne Galloway, said: “As the council works to regenerate the borough and create new jobs, it is right we ensure there are enough school places to give every child in Bolton the best possible start in life.”

A consultation will be held with residents if plans move forward to the next stage if the council decide to transfer the land.

People can sign the petition at https://bit.ly/3AGZw7d