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Westhoughton Development Sparks Resident Fury

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/1 .. sthoughton-development-sparks-resident-fury.html
  Published in House and Home on Friday, February 13th 2026 at 13:04 GMT by Manchester Evening News
      Locales: England, Greater Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM

Westhoughton, Bolton - February 13th, 2026 - A controversial proposal to build 1,000 homes on a swathe of green belt land west of Westhoughton has ignited a firestorm of protest from local residents and councillors. The plans, submitted by the Seddon Group, also include the construction of a new link road intended to alleviate traffic congestion between Blackrod and Westhoughton. However, critics argue that the development will irrevocably damage the cherished countryside and overburden already strained local infrastructure.

The proposed development site sits on a significant portion of Bolton's green belt, a designated area of land protected from urban sprawl. The Seddon Group's application details a comprehensive plan, encompassing a range of housing types - from detached houses to apartment complexes - designed to cater to a diverse range of potential residents. Accompanying the residential component is a planned 'local centre' featuring retail spaces, a fitness centre, and a much-needed community hall. Developers tout the project as a positive step towards addressing the region's housing shortage and boosting the local economy.

The cornerstone of the development's traffic mitigation strategy is the proposed link road. Seddon Group asserts that this new thoroughfare will divert traffic away from the heavily congested A6 and B5229 roadways, improving commute times and reducing air pollution. Furthermore, the developers promise to incorporate a 'significant amount' of green space into the development, including woodland areas and sports pitches, attempting to offset the loss of the existing green belt.

However, these assurances have done little to quell the anger of local residents and their representatives. Councillor Patricia Holmes, representing Westhoughton and Blackrod, has been a vocal opponent of the development for years, and views the submission of the application as a culmination of long-held fears. "This is an incredibly bad proposal," she stated. "It would destroy our green belt, and the link road won't solve the problems, it will create more. The increased traffic generated by 1,000 new homes will negate any benefits the road might offer, simply shifting the congestion elsewhere."

The concerns extend beyond traffic and the loss of landscape. Residents are deeply worried about the capacity of existing local services to absorb the influx of new residents. Overcrowded schools, lengthy wait times at doctors' surgeries, and pressure on local amenities are frequently cited as major concerns. Many fear that the development will fundamentally alter the character of Westhoughton and Blackrod, transforming a close-knit community into an overpopulated urban sprawl.

The debate over the Westhoughton development mirrors a broader national struggle between the need for new housing and the preservation of valuable green spaces. Across the UK, developers are increasingly targeting green belt land, citing housing shortages and economic necessity. This has led to a growing tension between local communities determined to protect their environment and developers eager to maximize profits. Similar battles are currently being fought in areas like Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Surrey, where large-scale developments threaten vital green belt corridors.

The Bolton Council is currently reviewing the application and is expected to reach a decision in the coming months. The decision-making process is likely to be fraught with challenges, as councillors balance the competing demands of housing needs, economic development, and environmental protection. A public consultation period is underway, allowing residents to voice their concerns and provide feedback on the proposals. Local activist groups are organizing petitions and demonstrations to raise awareness and pressure the council to reject the application. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future development proposals in the region and beyond, highlighting the crucial role local authorities play in safeguarding valuable green spaces for generations to come. Residents are keenly awaiting the council's decision, with the future of Westhoughton's green belt hanging in the balance.