RESIDENTS might be rejoicing at the prospect of a £12m access road to serve the former Horwich Loco Works development, but objections are being raised after an historic workshop building is set to be demolished to make way for a roundabout.

The new plans for the road, submitted to Bolton Council for approval on January 25, comes after years of debate over the potential construction on the 150-acre site.

In 2015, the housing proposed for the Loco Works site received outline planning permission for 1,700 new homes, retail and leisure facilities. The suggested road will link the £262 million Rivington Chase scheme to Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich Parkway railway station and junction six of the M61.

It will be funded from a national government grant, which the council bid for and funding was approved last year.

Horwich Heritage Society has objected to the road plans, as they will result in the demolition of the erection and repair workshop for a roundabout, part of the "historic core2 of the site.

In his objection, chairman of the society Stuart Whittle said: "Although generally supportive of the highway and open space aspects of this application, we wish to object to the proposed demolition of the remaining section of the erecting and repair shop."

Among the reasons for the objection, Mr Whittle said: "This building is part of the 'heritage core' of buildings designated for retention as part of the Rivington Chase development. There has therefore to be an exceptional reason for its demolition."

Mr Whittle also argues that the workshop is the most interesting of the area iconic because of its association with the construction of steam locos. He added: "This is the most iconic building of the whole Loco Works development. We all realise it will take money to restore, but it's definitely premature to consider demolition because we're at the early stages of the development.

"It needs to be preserved for a number of years before the money and use can be found. We're looking to buy time to secure a future for the building."

Mr Whittle has advised the council that the roundabout can "clearly be re-positioned to miss it without any adverse impact on adjacent parts of the Rivington Chase development."