Residents gathered at the King’s Head pub to oppose the nearly 50 new homes planned near Windyhill Drive and Everbrom Road.
Around 40 residents attended the event to voice their concerns over the new developments, including the potential impact on amenities, roads, and wildlife.
Planning permission for the development was submitted on March 9 by Jones Homes, and is now awaiting a council decision.
Janice and David Caffrey raised concerns about the state of Everbrom Road (Image: Dan Dougherty)
Stuart McMullen, who chaired the event, said: “We can only just get the bin wagons up and down that road, so how are they going to get their lorries up there?
“We can stand in our kitchens in the morning and there are deer out back, and there are bats on an evening.
“Many of us specifically bought our homes because of things like this.”
Many residents believe the excess cars flowing from the proposed estate onto Wigan Road, St Helens Road, and Hulton Lane will pose a significant problem, leading to traffic and accidents.
Everbrom Road is a dirt road (Image: Newsquest)
Janice Caffrey said: “The building wagons will come down the side of our house – it’ll destroy the road.
“Everbrom road isn’t in good condition anyway.
Resident Richard Lee said: “Everbrom Road is a dirt road, and will have to go through there with their lorries – it’s not designed to take that.
“And what about the infrastructure? There are no plans for new roads, GPs, community centres – just houses, houses, houses.”
Frank Berry (left) and Richard Lee (right) (Image: Dan Dougherty)
Frank Berry, 86, added: “I’ve lived here for 28 years now and the traffic on Hulton Lane is terrible.
“Coming down St Helens Road is just horrendous as well.
“Sometimes, when I go visit my daughter, it takes 5 minutes, and sometimes the same journey can take 25 minutes.”
Many residents were keen to point out that the quietness of the neighbourhood, and its closeness to nature, were the key things that attracted them to the area.
Samantha Beazley said: “I bought my house partly because of the safety factor.
“Now, there will be a house overlooking my property.
“My son is a teenager now, and growing up here has been wonderful.
“The biggest loss will be the wildlife – squirrels, hedgehogs, deer, foxes.”
The proposed development site is close to the area where Peel Land are planning to build nearly 1500 new homes and also a Ryder Cup-ready golf course.
Residents and councillors in Westhoughton have already raised concerns about the state of the roads there, with traffic, speeding, and problems with crossings.
Councillors also take issue with the amenities in the area, as school places, GPs, and dentists are already at capacity, they say.
Residents have until March 31 to submit objections to the plans, which can be done by visiting the Bolton Council website at planning.control@bolton.gov.uk.