BOSSES at Bolton School have defended their £10 million development plan amid fears it will create environmental problems and traffic chaos.

A number of local residents are opposed to the plan to transform the school's primary accommodation.

The school's proposal -- which is going through a public consultation process -- includes a new building for the infants, an extension of the boys' division for a new junior school, a joint refectory and a shared music school.

Under the scheme, Beech House, home to the shared infants school and in the grounds of the girls' division, would close to make way for a new building on land between Park Road and Dobson Road.

The current boys' junior school, off Park Road, would close to be replaced with an extension of the main school in Chorley New Road. The space left by the old boys' junior school would be turned into a car park.

Robin Senior, clerk and treasurer to the governors, stressed that they are eager to address residents' concerns.

He said: "On the whole, we think these plans will make life better, although there will be some short-term difficulties. We are aware that there are a considerable number of residents objecting and we want to work with the residents."

Mr Senior said the school has sent 650 letters to residents near the school.

More than 200 attended two open evenings to discuss the plans.

One local resident -- who did not want to be identified -- fears that if a plan to close the top of Dobson Road as part of the redevelopment went ahead, it would add hundreds of yards to the journeys of walkers.

He is also concerned about the possibility that traffic would be re-routed along Glade Street, which he argued would increase traffic and pollution in a residential area.

There are fears too about plans to build a car park on the site of the Bolton Junior School campus.

The resident said: "We held a meeting between local residents and councillors at Gilnow School and it was absolutely packed.

"There was a lot of very bitter feeling. The whole thing is madness."

But Mr Senior said the plans would improve traffic flow around the school.

He added: "This is for the long term benefit of the pupils and for the town. The school is a major employer -- we employ 500 people -- so we are key economic lever in Bolton."