DEVELOPMENT notices slapped on lamp-posts sparked a scare among residents in Atherton.

They feared that drug addicts and paedophiles could have been housed at the proposed scheme.

Shock waves ran through the "tree estate" after the revelation of housing scheme plans. But they turned out to be aimed at helping people with slight learning difficulties.

The housing association involved -- which was alleged to have acted prematurely -- claims everything was done strictly according to the rules.

"People jumped to the wrong conclusions," said Cllr Mrs Sue London.

But she added that there was "no way" plans for two blocks of six flats and a caretaker's unit at Hazel Road, Atherton would now go ahead.

She said the Grosvenor Housing Association planning application should never have reached the stage it did without thorough consultation with residents. We have a protocol within the local authority and we go through consultation with residents to inform them properly of any such developments. Grosvenor jumped the gun.

"There is a need in the Atherton/Tyldesley area for some type of facility to house people with mild mental illness. We feel these people should be treated as ordinary residents."

But a spokesman for Grosvenor Housing Association, who verified the planning application had been withdrawn, said: "We work closely with the officers and members of Wigan Council in the delivery of housing to meet the requirements of the local authority.

"We take very seriously the protocol for consultation agreed between registered social landlords and Wigan Council, since we appreciate the sensitivity of some of the housing needed in the borough. The protocol is designed to improve the consultation process when considering new schemes. Grosvenor has adhered strictly to protocol."

Relieved local Bernard Moody of Chestnut Road said: "We are all very pleased with the way Cllr Loudon handled this matter and got things sorted. We are told 12 letters had been sent to people in the area but I understand only five people received them.

"I asked on behalf of local residents whether the buildings would be used to house ex-drug addicts, alcoholics or paedophiles and was told there were no guarantees who would be housed there, just that they would be 'about level five'.

"There was concern over the site being the only piece of green land in the area where little kids can play without having to cross major roads."1