TOWN councillors in Horwich say their hands are tied over plans to build 22 apartments on a road they believed is over-crowded.

Horwich Town Council has approved plans to build a new development at the former site of Chorley New Road Infants School because it does not go against planning regulations.

The final decision will be made by Bolton Council, and Cllr John Cronnolley said it was very likely planning chiefs there would have overturned their decision if the town council had turned the scheme down.

"If we are really honest about it, this thing should not be built because the area is unsuitable," he said. "I am not happy with it but we can only make a recommendation to Bolton."

Cllr Kevan Helsby also said he did not like the plans, put forward by Kingsfold Developments Ltd, but said he could see no other realistic alternative to approving them.

The original proposals were for 28 apartments on the land, off Chorley New Road, Victoria Road and Abernethy Street.

This then changed to 32 apartments and was revised again to 22, with associated car parking, after advice from planning officers.

Cllr Steve Rock said: "If the plans conform to guidelines, there is not a lot we can do."

Cllr Kathleen MacKenzie Morley said the plans were "the best of a bad job", and recommended that they be approved.

Terry Birtwistle, who lives on Abernethy Street, the main access road, said: "I am just wondering whether Bolton planning people are aware of the traffic problems.

"We are talking about possibly another 32 cars in an area where we have got two schools and a college."

A planning officer at the council said the Highways Department had not raised any objections over the proposals, but added that they were aware of the traffic issues.

Gordon Hall, another Abernethy resident, pointed out that traffic problems increased ten-fold when Bolton Wanderers played at home.

The councillors passed the plans with a condition that planners in Bolton attend a site visit, and asked that the Highways Department be made aware of their concerns.