COUNCILLORS have delayed a decision on a controversial plan to build new houses on a playing field in Horwich.

Members of the planning Committee decided to defer the decision on the scheme by Bolton Council after visiting the site near Singleton Avenue on Thursday.

Although council officers have argued that the site is earmarked for housing development, Horwich councillors claim the area is well used by local children and football team.

Cllr Barbara Ronson told colleagues at Thursday's Planning Committee that Leisure Services chiefs at the Council had been looking at the possibility of installing play equipment on the site.

She said: "At the meeting when this first came up it was described as land not used for recreation and yet not long ago John Shepley was looking at designs for play equipment for the site.

"The field provides very good visual contact for parents of children who play there and I would hope that this scheme is refused and that it would continue to be a recreational area."

There have been dozens of letters of objection to the plans as well as a petition signed by local residents concerned about the loss of open space.

Former Horwich Town Mayor, Mark Perks has also joined in the fight to stop the development claiming the council has been underhand in the way the plan has been presented.

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