PLANS lodged to build eight new homes on a Bolton street have provoked concerns than an area is "bursting at the seems."

According to the most recent version of proposals submitted to Bolton Council, the new houses will be build on Manchester Road, Kearsley.

But plans for new housing have proven controversial in the area in recent years, with particular concerns having been raised about overcrowding and congestion.

Cllr Paul Heslop, of One Kearsley, said: "The concerns are obviously the fact that Kearsley is already bursting at the seems, there are houses all over it."

He added: "Previously in this particular area there was a bit of an uproar when the trees were felled and we said at the time that we'd have to see what happened when plans were formally lodged."

Cllr Heslop also raised concerns about the topography of the area.

He said: "The plans suggest the parking spaces are going to be level with Manchester Road but how they're going to achieve this, I don't know."

He added: "There are no places in the schools and that section of the road is gridlocked in the morning every single day.

"So adding more housing is just putting more pressure on the infrastructure of Kearsley/

But SJ Architectural, the designers behind the scheme, claim in documents submitted to Bolton Council that new houses will be designed in such a way as to compliment existing buildings in the area.

All of the houses will be designed with garden space and with at least one parking place each.

In a statement issued to the council planning department, the company said: "Through careful material choices, the proposed housing compliments the character of the local area.

"Modern features such as brick detailing and large expanses of glazing add a modern twist to a considered design built with robust and high-quality materials.

"As this development is within the heart of the community, a conscious effort has been made to reduce the impact of the proposal."

All of the houses will have three bedrooms and will be built in a gap between already existing terraced houses in the area.

The plans are open for neighbourhood consultations until Saturday January 1 next year.