Residents raise concerns over Inverbeg Drive Breighmet homes plan

PLANS to build houses on a site formerly used by a non-league football club have caused “massive concern” for residents.

According to plans lodged to Bolton Council, the site used by Bolton Wyresdale AFC off Inverbeg Drive in Breighmet could become a new housing estate. But residents and councillors have expressed concerns.

Cllr Adele Warren, who represents the Breightmet area, says she will be arguing against the proposal.

She said: “In my opinion its a massive overdevelopment. I have concerns regarding the entrance coming out off Inverbeg. It’s a very narrow road that functions as a cul-de-sac.

“It’s a massive concern for those residents. I don’t see much green space and they seem to have crammed in as many properties as possible. So there’s an argument for a better development and I’ll be making those arguments against this one.”

The plans, if approved, will see 88 homes built alongside the planting of 32 new trees, developing five acres of playing fields and football pitches at the site.

Wyresdale AFC has said years of underfunding mean the club has had to move in order to secure its future. A trustees statement said: “The club has suffered through lack of funding for many years and depends entirely on the goodwill of our volunteers who provide their time and skill to maintain the pitches and clubhouse.

“The clubhouse is now virtually unusable due to water ingress problems with the large flat roof.

“Excessive rainfall over recent winters has rendered the first team pitch unplayable for most of the season and drainage experts have advised that due to its location on the lowest point of the site it is impossible to remedy within the wastewater regulations.

“As a result we are currently renting a 3G facility to be able to fulfil our fixtures . We have recently performed improvement work on the top pitch but this also suffers from drainage issues. There has always been interest from developers to buy the site but we have struggled to find a suitable location to relocate.

“After many years we have managed to find a site within the area which provides us with the opportunity to create a new facility with top class drainage and clubhouse which meets all current standards.”

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