A LANDOWNER who sparked a petition from his neighbours by cutting down a cluster of trees says he did it to improve the area.

Sam Bancroft claims the 30 trees he felled at the back of his home in Doris Avenue, Tonge Fold, were rotten or dead, and that some were dangerous.

He and partner Yvonne want to open a stables business where their three-year-old daughter Georgie could keep her pony. They have applied for permission to cut down a further 10 trees.

Residents have sent a 600-signature petition to Bolton Council objecting to the trees he has chopped down and his plan to fell more.

Mr Bancroft, who grew up in Tonge Fold and bought the land three years ago, has drawn up plans for stables, a car park and changing rooms.

"People are saying that this was a beautiful, well-known landmark but the truth is it was a complete mess," said Mr Bancroft, aged 42. "There were vats of animal fat dumped and the trees were completely rotten or damaged by fire, kids or animals.

"When we turf it over and plant new trees it will be something people can be proud of. We even want to put in a public footpath."

Councillors will go on a site visit before Thursday's planning and highways committee decides on the application, which is recommended for refusal.

The council's tree officer will seek a separate application at the meeting to get a tree protection order which would stop any further felling.

Local councillor Nick Peel said: "We will speak to the applicant and listen to his reasons for what he has done, as well as speaking to the objectors, before a decision is made."