A NEW major industrial development which could create up to 1,500 jobs has been given the green light by Bolton Council.

The team behind Logistics North wants to build a 100,000 square-metre site west of Wingates Industrial Estate.

Harworth Group's head of planning, Stuart Ashton, said the company wants to continue to invest in Bolton and build on the success its Over Hulton site.

He said: “We think the proposed development would have a substantial positive effect on the local economy in terms of construction, permanent jobs and investment. It will allow Bolton businesses to expand and it will provide significant improvements to highways infrastructure."

This comes months after the developer, accused of "gobbling up the green belt", was asked to come back to the planning committee with a better offer.

The developer agreed to move the plot eight metres further away from Chorley Road, plant more trees for "screening" and reduce the maximum height of buildings to 11.5 metres.

But Westhoughton councillors maintained that the development does not justify building on the protected countryside spot. Cllr David Wilkinson told the planning committee that if they say yes to this development, then the green belt "means nothing".

He said: "I’ve lived in Westhoughton all my life and I can remember farm, after farm, after farm, after farm, after farm. We’ve contributed a lot of land to the demand. Now we're being asked to sacrifice the rest."

Cllr Anna-Marie Watters warned that the majority of workers would drive to the site, because public transport is "absolutely horrendous", adding to pollution and traffic.

She said: “Westhoughton and the surrounding area has seen more than its fair share of housing and industrial buildings that cannot deal with the already stretched infrastructure and excessive amount of development that’s going on.”

Questioning Harworth's claims about jobs, former Mayor of Westhoughton Arthur Price claimed that there are currently 100 vacancies at the existing industrial estate where there is still unused land to build on.

He said: “Westhoughton, I think, has donated quite a lot of green belt and green spaces. I would like my grandchildren and their children to see green space in Westhoughton – not just housing.

Lib Dem leader Roger Hayes agreed that jobs are needed in Bolton, but not in that part of the borough.

Denise Roscoe, who lives in Wingates, warned that approving this development would open the flood gates to building on the rest of Westhoughton's green spaces.

She said: “Our wildlife has been pushed to the outer limits of Westhoughton over the last 20 years and inhabitants who wish to take advantage of our remaining countryside along with it.”

But Cllr Mudasir Dean, who claims he has never supported building in the green belt before, said he had "no hesitation" in supporting the proposal.

He said: “If we are to be a part of this Northern Powerhouse, if we are to be part of the improvements of industry going to the North, then there are some sacrifices that we are going to have to make. It’s going to create jobs, it’s going to be an opportunity for young people in this town."

Now the decision will be referred to the government for approval. Iain Thomson, head of communications and investor relations, said Harworth Group is "very pleased" with the outcome.

He said: "Clearly now, it’s up to the Secretary of State to determine what happens next with the application and we’ll wait to hear back from them."