THREE residents' associations came together in their opposition towards plans to build 300 homes on a golf course.

Horwich groups Grundy Hill, Stocks Park and New Chapel, met at the Conservative Club with residents and councillors on Monday after Peel Investments revealed its proposal for Horwich Golf Course.

It came after the groups called upon the community to submit objections to Bolton Council.

Speaking yesterday, Phil Coventry, chairman of the Grundy Hill Residents Association, said he thought Horwich was being treated 'unfairly' and said these plans would exacerbate the current issues in the town worse.

These include recent worries about collisions on Victoria Road and parking problems caused by the recent opening of the leisure centre without a permanent car park in place.

He said: "We are going to have rat runs all over the place. We have had an issue with double yellow lines in Victoria Road.

"They were extended and in the last six weeks we have had four accidents.

"It will all get worse with the addition of 2,000 homes — 1,700 coming at the Horwich Loco Works and 300 at the golf course.

"There will be a concentrated effort to object to the golf course plans and we will be asking all residents to raise their objections on an individual basis."

The development would comprise a mixture of two, three, four, and five-bedroom mews, semi-detached, and detached homes.

The company adds that 35 per cent of the housing delivered on the site will be affordable housing and that the development would provide 'much-needed' quality family homes.

Cllr Kevin McKeon, who represents Brazley Ward on Horwich Town Council, said: "My principal objection is that Bolton Council's Local Plan designates the golf course as protected open space.

"They will be difficulties if there is a development there.

"In terms of traffic congestion, I do understand people's concern about that but I am going to campaign on the idea of protected open space.

"I want the community to realise that recently, Government inspectors have made decisions contrary to the wishes of the Bolton Council planning committee.

"I am confident that we can persuade the planning committee to reject the application on the golf course. I think our efforts are going to have to be directed towards this appeal.

"I urge people to write to the Secretary of State Sajid Javid to persuade him to make sure that when inspectors come to matters in Bolton, they do respect the local plan.

"The Government does proclaim its support for localism. This will be the opportunity for them to show that and to encourage inspectors to listen to what local residents are saying."