A large area of what has up until now been public land has been put up for sale by Bolton Council.

The land, between Tempest Road and the railway line between Chew Moor and Lostock, was listed for disposal with its sale now having been approved on Monday.

This is drawn a mixed reaction from the community with some local representatives expressing concern about what could happen on what has been designated as green belt land if permission is later given to build over it.

Cllr David Wilkinson, who represents Westhoughton South on Bolton Council, said: “Quite a significant number of people were far from happy that the land was down for disposal and as far as we can see there are no restrictions on sale of the land to whoever comes up with top dollar.

“Obviously this is a large piece of land were in theory you could get 200 to 300 houses built.”

He added: “As I’ve said there appear to be no restrictions on the land and after that it becomes a matter of planning.

“I’m aware that its listed as green belt land but we’ve had cases with Bolton Council where plans have gone through on green belt land.”

He added: “I don’t know what if anything would come forward so as a member of the planning committee, I would have a legal duty to consider it.”

The sell-off will take place as part of what is known as a Strategic Asset Management Plan, or SAMP, disposal and is part of an ongoing review into the use of council land.

The council’s report says that the sale of land like that around Tempest Street and other sites around the borough could be crucial to providing funds for its capital programme, which includes its planned £4million district centre investments.

These districts include Westhoughton, which the authority has said is vital to regenerating areas like these and improve their economies.

The report also says that ward representatives had the opportunity to give their feedback on plans to sell off the sites which was taken into consideration.