Phil Brickell MP and councillors weigh in on Lee Hall plans

This comes after a meeting Peel Land had with Westhoughton residents on Tuesday (June 2), which laid out the plans for Peel Land in more detail.

Westhoughton councillor David Chadwick – former Mayor of Bolton – put out a statement in opposition to the plans, reiterating points he made last week in an interview with The Bolton News.

A new link road easing congestion at Chequerbent is a key element of the development (Image: Peel Land)

Cllr Chadwick said: “Peel discussed plans for a link road from Snydale Road all the way down to North Road in Atherton. This would be funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority with the aim of improving the flow of traffic around M61 junction 5, where traffic has backed up for many years. This road would be a single-lane road, not a dual carriageway.

“There was also a discussion regarding an additional health centre. The NHS have expressed desires for the health provision to be off the Lee Hall site but with a contribution from Peel for funding a health centre.

“All things considered, I still remain vehemently opposed to building on Lee Hall and the loss of more greenbelt land in Westhoughton. Once green spaces are gone, they are gone forever.

Westhoughton residents gathered to discuss concerns over the Lee Hall development (Image: NQ)

“Hall Lee Bank Park is already classified as ancient woodland, but any development close by would be to the detriment of residents and wildlife. Deer are already found wandering residential estates regularly having been displaced by rapidly expanding developments.”

Bolton West MP Phil Brickell also formally objected. He said: “Westhoughton has seen a huge amount of development over the past two decades without the necessary supporting infrastructure being delivered alongside it.

“The result is a town where residents increasingly face severe congestion, overstretched public services, and growing pressure on local infrastructure. This application risks compounding these existing problems.

“The most immediate concern raised by residents is traffic congestion. The local road network is already struggling to cope with the current demand, particularly along Park Road, Leigh Road, and Wigan Road.

Campaigners highlight wildlife habitats and flood-prone areas during a site walk off Lee Bank. (Image: NQ)

“At times these routes are routinely congested, causing significant delays for residents, commuters, and businesses.”

The plans include provision for a Link Road between Westhoughton and Atherton, with the aim of reducing congestion on the Chequerbent roundabout.

Also included in the plans is funding for a new health centre, though there is debate whether the centre will be on or off the Lee Hall site.

A spokesperson for Peel Land said: “We recognise there is a critical need for investment in the road infrastructure in the Westhoughton area, and after historic failures to deliver this new link road, Lee Hall is now the only practical and viable solution to address the congestion at Chequerbent.

“The successful bid to the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund means that £69.8m has now been allocated to deliver the Park Avenue link road. This represents the best chance in a generation to make this new road a reality. This can now only happen if the plans for Lee Hall are approved. Refusal will only frustrate efforts to build the road and see congestion and delays in the area get much worse over the next few years.

“The approval of Lee Hall will also deliver much-needed affordable and family homes, health facilities, a new primary school, a community hall, neighbourhood stores, allotments and a significant 15- acre public park. It is an infrastructure-led proposal that responds to local needs and will realise a long-held plan for the sustainable growth of the town dating back to the 1960s.”