A SIGN stating the council’s support for a controversial housing development has caused anger within a community which fought to save its playing fields.

Work is now underway at Eldercot Park, the new name given to the former playing fields off Hulton Lane where 234 houses are set to be built, after a government-appointed inspector overturned Bolton Council’s decision to stop the residential scheme from going ahead last year.

Bolton’s planning committee unanimously voted against the project by MCI Developments in January 2019 following hundreds of letters of objecting.

The council was criticised for its “weak” defence of its decision at a public inquiry which took place last April following an appeal by the developer.

Now, campaigners say the sign stating the council’s support for the scheme suggests their concerns, complaints and protests were never taken seriously.

Speaking on behalf of the Hulton Community Action committee, Alan Johnson said residents were “shocked” to see the sign put up by Your Housing Group.

He said: “Bolton’s planning committee in January of last year voted by 17 votes to nil against the development, although this was overturned at a later date by the government inspectorate – a decision which totally went against local democracy, 2,000 local residents having signed a petition against the building of 234 houses on the site, and sending in many hundreds of objection letters.

“Well, of course sadly, the development got the go ahead and is underway.

“But what Hulton Community Action committee, and many hundreds of Hulton residents would like to know is: does Bolton current Council support the development, when previously its planning committee rejected it overwhelmingly?”

Landowner Eden Land’s initial plans for up to 250 homes built at the site were refused by Bolton Council in July 2018 but new plans were submitted by MCI Developments in September.

The firm offered a sports club, which has been located in the fields for three decades, £25,000 to spend however it sees fit should the plans be approved.

Wally’s accepted the conditional offer for the transfer of a larger plot of land with an additional rounders pitch and retaining the clubhouse for a fee of £1.

But in January, this application was also rejected by the planning committee.

Representatives from Bolton Council defended the decision by the planning committee to refuse permission for both applications at the public inquiry.

Bolton Council, the leader of the local authority and all three Hulton councillors have been contacted for comment.