A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build houses on a site occupied by a builders' yard in Westhoughton came under the spotlight at a public inquiry yesterday.

Firwood Timber is appealing against the decision by Bolton Council to throw out the outline plans for housing on land off Wigan Road near Dob Brow Road.

The council's planning committee rejected the plans last year despite a recommendation for approval from their own officers.

Planning inspector Susan Holland heard council claims that use of the land for housing would lead to the loss of valuable industrial land with implications for employment.

But solicitors acting for the developers told the inquiry the "brown field" site was an appropriate area to build the houses, arguing there was an excess of supply over demand for industrial sites.

It was was also argued that refusal of the development could lead to developers looking elsewhere for housing and could pave the way for the building of a large number of houses on a green field site in the town.

As well as listening to evidence at the inquiry, the inspector visited the site and is expected to publish a decision on the appeal shortly.

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