THE battle between Ainsworth villagers and Bolton Road Sports Club has developed into a paper war.

Bury Council has received almost 500 letters of objection to plans by the sports club to relocate to the village.

Residents fear the development would scar their picturesque village and have received backing from Bury South MP David Sumberg, environmental groups and the North West Sports Council.

More objections are expected now that developers Wainhomes have submitted amended plans.

These include increasing the car park from 26 to 40 spaces and resiting the pavilion so that it backs on to Church Street.

A spokesman for Ainsworth Community Association said: "The new proposals for the car park will increase the impact of black asphalt on the land and will still not be large enough for the 250 sports club members, visiting teams and spectators."

He added: "The pavilion will not only be adjacent to residents' homes, but this 135ft long and 22ft high building would be prominently visible to all travellers approaching the village from Bury."

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