NEW BOLTON West MP Chris Green has joined local councillors and residents in a battle against a plan to build 300 houses in Westhoughton.

Last week local Labour councillor Anne Graham handed a petition to Bolton Council containing the names of more than 1,600 people who are opposed to the plans of developer Persimmon Homes for the open, protected land in Lee Hall — between Platt Lane and Manchester Road.

Residents and councillors argue that the plans are not necessary and could cause problems for the local highways network as well as wildlife in the area.

Now Conservative MP for the area Chris Green and Tory councillors Zoe Kirk-Robinson and Martin Cox have joined the fight.

Mr Green said: “There is a consensus among local councillors and residents that this application should not be supported.

“There has been a huge amount of development in Westhoughton and services such as the transport network are creaking under the pressure.

“I would be surprised but not disappointed if Labour councillors at Bolton decided to pass this application.”

Cllr Kirk-Robinson came to power as a Tory councillor for Westhoughton South and Chew Moor in May.

She said: “This issue came up a lot throughout the election period — people are saying that in Westhoughton we physically cannot take these houses, the road structure can’t cope.”

She added: “Councillors and residents don’t want it — the only people that want it are the developers.”

She also urged as many people as possible to send in individual objections to the council’s planning department before the now extended consultation deadline of September 30.

The land at Lee Hall is owned by Peel Holdings but Persimmon has an option to build on it.

As well as housing, the outline application submitted earlier this month includes plans for public open space, two children’s play areas and access routes at Platt Lane and the Chequerbent roundabout.

The developer has said previously that the proposals provide an opportunity to contribute to the “acknowledged under-supply of new homes in the borough”, describing it as a “logical and sustainable location”.