CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an Islamic college on green belt land in Westhoughton have been rejected by planning bosses.

More than 200 people were at Bolton Town Hall on Thursday to hear the proposals discussed by the planning committee.

Neighbours claimed the scheme would result in traffic chaos and have a negative impact on the landscape.

Members of the borough's Muslim community who backed the plans, also attended the meeting.

The plans by the Bromley Cross-based Islamic College would have seen the building of a new college housing 200 boarding students with playing fields at Ormstons Farm, Wingates Lane.

They were rejected on the grounds that the scheme was contrary to green belt policy, would increase traffic and have an unacceptable impact on the landscape.

Afterwards, Yousuf Bhailok, a trustee at the college, ruled out an appeal and said the college would investigate new sites and examine the possibility of developing its present college at the former Blair Hospital in Bromley Cross.

He said: "It is a major disappointment because we believe the proposals would have enhanced the environment."

The decision was welcomed by residents and by Education Secretary and Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly.

She said afterwards: "I was opposed to the proposals and have been contacted by hundreds of constituents who hold this view.

"I recognise the problem the applicants have with their current location and hope that a suitable alternative can be found."

Richard Morris, whose home is yards from the development site, said: "The committee has made the right decision because this would have destroyed one of the last remaining green belt sites in Westhoughton."

Neighbour Pat Bullough, of Church Lane, Westhoughton, added: "We are relieved because we were extremely concerned about the effect this will have on the lives of people living nearby."

But Mohammed Adan, chairman of the Bolton Council of Mosques, said he was disappointed with the outcome.

He said: "We do not think the committee has given due consideration to the special circumstances of this application and we see no reason why children seeking education should be deprived in this way."

Just seven of the 24 councillors on the committee supported the plans.

They were told that the institution wanted to create a prestigious college serving the North-west and was unable to cope with demands at its current premises.

Cllr David Wilkinson said: "We have to ask whether the applicants have proved there are special grounds to approve this application on the green belt and in my opinion they have not."