Plans to build new homes on green land near Westhoughton have been rejected.

The plans for a 183-home estate on green land have been the subject of nearly 1,000 objections by residents and yesterday councillors decided to refuse the development.

Bellway Homes were planning to build 58 four-bed, 94 three-bed, 33 two-bed, and four single-bedroomed properties on the land at Bowlands Hey, Westhoughton.

A plan was also put forward to councillors from Bellway Homes to build 119 properties also on the same land.

Both applications were put before councillors at Bolton Town Hall on Thursday, where they decided to reject the plans due to issues with drainage, character, landscape impact, and the existing congestion problems in the area.

These plans were phases three, four and five of the builds, hoping to extend housing beyond Dobb Brow Road and the Dobb Brow settlement on land known as Bowlands Hey.

The development would have been accessed via the Bellways residential development currently under construction, which itself is accessed from The Fairways.

Cllr David Wilkinson was amongst other councillors who had objections to both the plans.

He said there were issues with drainage and ground levels, community facilities such as GPs and dentists, and the houses being too close to the railways.

He said: "I think there are a number of issues. We seem to be sacrificing greenbelt sites.

"There are issues about health and community facilities that are not covered in this application.

"The application impacts on the facilities in Westhoughton and Horwich and the rest of Bolton."

Cllr Nick Peel said he was in support of phases three and four of the plans to build 183 homes.

He said: "This site does have a significant value and I think if this is refused it will go to appeal so I am happy to support."

The applications were both refused despite the supporter of the applications, Simon Pemberton, stating Bellway Homes was committed to developing phases three and four and that phase five would give socioeconomic benefits.

He also stated the positives outway the harm.