A CONTROVERSIAL plan to move Dunscar's historic war memorial is set to be turned down by planning chiefs.

Developer Stephen Fitton wants to relocate the monument from its home of more than 80 years to make way for a housing development.

An artist's impression submitted to planning chiefs by Mr Fitton, shows his vision of a new home for the statue in the courtyard of a new apartment block 50 yards south of its current site.

He also wants to build 11 homes on the land he owns behind his home on Dunscar Fold.

But planning bosses look set to reject his plan after town hall advisors recommended it for refusal.

They claim it would constitute an "unjustified, and inappropriate development" within the green belt which will neither preserve nor enhance the character of the Dunscar Conservation area.

The plan caused a storm of protest from war veterans, politicians and residents when it was announced earlier this year, with 1,000 people signing a petition calling on the council to reject it.

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, said: "I am extremely encouraged that the officers are recommending this for refusal.

"I just hope the planning committee take the advice of their officers or more importantly the advice of the people who live in Dunscar who are almost universally opposed to this application."

The council-owned memorial was erected in 1921 and features the statue of a soldier with his head bowed in memory of his fallen comrades, and the names of the men who perished in both World Wars.

The planning committee will visit the site before making their decision on Thursday, September 2.

Ronald Ashmore, aged 90, of Belmont, fought at Arnhem during the Second World War. He said: "We just hope that this will mean the end of this terrible plan. I did my job in the war and was lucky enough to come home, now let's show some respect for those who weren't so lucky."