CONTROVERSIAL plans to build more than 100 new homes near a "quiet and tranquil" village have been approved.

More than 70 Lowton residents objected to the Redrow Homes scheme out of fear that the community was starting to lose its identity.

There were claims that the rate of development in Lowton was exceeding levels set by Wigan Council, which was accused of "moving the goalposts".

Other concerns expressed at the planning committee centred around extra traffic creating "extremely dangerous" roads, and the proximity to the proposed HS2 rail line.

The estate, where 117 homes will be built on open land north of Bainbridge Avenue, will provide 29 affordable homes and is expected to be completed between 2023 and 2028.

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Andrew Bell, representing Redrow Homes, said the developer had a proven track record of delivering "high quality" houses in the borough in recent years, and described the proposal as "sustainable".

But Lowton councillor James Grundy said the council was in danger of going against a planning inspector’s decision  in 2013 to limit future development in the area.

“We have exceeded housing supply target by over 20 per cent, we already know this but it seems it’s still not good enough,” he told the planning committee yesterday, Tuesday.

“We’re dealing with constantly moving goalposts in terms of these targets.

“It makes a mockery of the inspector.”

Cllr Grundy also raised concerns about extra traffic moving along "narrow" residential streets and creating "rat runs" near Hesketh Meadow Lane’s junction with Newton Road.

Highways officers admitted that inappropriate parking was a concern on the road in a report but said putting new traffic lights near the junction would cost an extra £300,000 and could cause "severe" delays.

An independent traffic assessment found that rush hour traffic in and out of the estate would rise by only five per cent – or an extra 76 vehicles per hour.

The meeting also heard that the HS2 track would be around 120 metres away from the nearest house, and that part of the site within the area safeguarded from development.

But councillor Gena Merrett said potential tenants would be able to decide whether or not they want to live near the line.

Moving the application’s approval, Cllr Merrett added that the wider development would bring "rough" vacant land into use by creating additional walking and cycling areas.

“I do think there will be some impact on traffic in rush hour, but then we need to do more to get better public transport in that area,” she added.

Redrow Homes will pay almost £150,000 towards upgrading the play area at Braithwaite Road and Pennington Flash Country Park.

A further £174,272 will compensate for any demand for secondary school places created by new tenants and new traffic orders.