Bolton councillors who joined anti-homes protest group accused of doing it 'just to win votes'

The Hulton Community Action Group is fighting plans for hundreds of homes at Eldercot Road

Conservatives who joined the fight against hundreds of homes being built at Hulton Lane Playing Fields have been accused of giving up.

The Hulton Community Action group has “disposed” of Cllr Toby Hewitt’s duties as treasurer, blaming a “distinct lack of commitment and support” for the group.

Mike Manville, chairman of Hulton Community Action, accused all three Conservative ward councillors, which includes newly-elected councillor Derek Bullock and former UKIP councillor Diane Parkinson, of supporting the group to “just win votes”.

He said: “As a committee, it must be said that due to a lack of support, over recent months, and in some cases since council elections were held, and that their failure to support our group since the development’s decision was made last year, has been regularly commented on and noted at all committee meetings.

“It has been noticed that a serious fall off’ in support from all our ward councillors suggests that our committee was enshrined to just win votes at election times which is very disappointing from our community’s point of view.”

Bolton Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for up to 250 homes at the Eldercot Road site was overturned by a planning inspector in May but campaigners still opposed to the development have threatened to take the matter to the high court.

All three Hulton councillors spoke at a public inquiry into the proposed development which took place in April.

Mr Manville added: “Just because the developer was granted permission does not mean we all pack up and not bother anymore.

"There are health concerns in the community about the whole development being allowed on this old historical landfill site so our determination to examine every aspect and regulation of this scheme should be challenged at every opportunity.”

The councillors were contacted for comment.