Local Government Reporter

jfield@boltoneveningnews.co.uk

New anger over 'great' centre

AN action team fighting plans for a new £900,000 community centre on one of Farnworth's busiest roads has complained to the local government ombudsman.

Residents believe that they were not fairly represented when Bolton Council's planning chiefs visited the Church Road site.

They are unhappy about the location of the Surestart centre, part of which will be built on St Gregory's School field. Some fear it will cause traffic chaos and others are upset that some of the area's last remaining green space will be lost.

Mark Cunningham, who is leading the action group said: "We are not happy with the planning application process.

"We understand that a site visit should be arranged once the application goes to the planning meeting, but this one happened the day before.

"We were not given adequate opportunity to meet with councillors and to lobby them.

"None of our questions have been answered and our letters have not been replied to."

Chairman of planning Councillor Prentice Howarth said that she had arranged the visit in a pre-agenda meeting to save time because she knew it would require one.

At the planning meeting councillors urged everyone to get behind the proposal.

Cllr John Noble said: "I think this is wonderful, it is nothing but a great scheme. Children in Farnworth, Kearsley and Little Lever are going to benefit."

Cllr John Walsh proposed a traffic management plan.

He said it should include "zig zag" lines outside the centre to keep traffic moving and traffic calming measure to deter 'rat runners'. His ideas will now be looked at by officers and included in the plans.

It will return to the planning meeting in the next few weeks.

The Surestart centre will offer advice about health and education to families with children aged up to four and parents would also be able to take learning and employment courses.

Grosvenor Nursery would move into the new building which could also provide a crche, training rooms, IT facilities and become a centre for the community.