PLANS to build a 60-bed hotel with 104 car parking spaces next to The Beehive pub on Chorley New Road, Horwich, have been deferred again.

Punch Travel Inn had already been told by Bolton Council planning chiefs it could not build the hotel -- but recently submitted a new application. It was recommended by officers for approval but councillors decided they needed more time to investigate the issues before making a decision.

There has been opposition from local residents and Horwich Town Council said the development would cause traffic chaos. Cllr Barbara Ronson said it would be "illogical" for Bolton Council to give the hotel the go-ahead after recently turning it down.

She said: "The hotel will attract a lot of people and there will be traffic problems. There will be no visibility for drivers leaving the car park."

She said the firm had already sent out adverts saying the hotel would be open in 2002.

But Cllr Laurie Williamson said he felt the council did not have grounds for refusing the application. "The traffic problems are already there and the development would not change those problems," he said.