A PROPOSAL to build 52 homes on the site of a former school have been turned down.

The land in Blenheim Road, Breightmet, is owned by the Salford Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees, and was the site of St Osmund's RC Primary School.

The trustees had applied to Bolton Council for planning permission to build 28 three-bedroom townhouses and 24 two-bedroom flats on the site, proposals which angered local residents.

Seven letters of objections were received, along with a 33-signature petition. Major concerns were an increase in traffic and over-development of the site.

Local resident Florence Hill told the council's planning committee: "The site is very small for the large number of dwellings and the safety of children and older people could be compromised because of the increase in traffic.

"We aren't opposed to houses on the site, but they must be in keeping with the local area."

The planning committee agreed and rejected the application.

Cllr John Walsh said: "The density is ridiculously high. The scheme is lacking in imagination and would impact on neighbours."

Cllr Nick Peel added: "I'm not happy with the position of the apartment block. There would be an unacceptable level of overlooking'."

The trustees say any money made from the sale of the site would be ploughed back into education in the area.