AN environment watchdog has called on councillors to block plans to expand the Holiday Inn at the Middlebrook Sports Village development in Horwich.

Bass Taverns, who own the hotel on the prestigious site, want to expand the building to provide another 45 bedrooms and extend the existing car park.

But the Government's Environment Agency has objected to the proposals and is worried that the extended building will go too far into the Middlebrook corridor making it difficult to carry out essential maintenance and improvements to the brook.

The Agency says the loss of the land would result in a loss of flood storage and would increase the risk of flooding elsewhere.

Bolton Planning officers recommended refusal of the scheme when it was considered by councillors this week.

Deputy Environment Director, Richard Cowley said: "There are major problems in terms of the visual impact of the extension and how close the extension is to the course of the stream."

There are concerns that the building will be very prominent when viewed from the west along the Horwich Link Road and there would be no land available for landscaping which would help screen the building. But councillors agreed to visit the site before making a final decision on the proposals.

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