RUGBY men and planners were this week debating whether Tyldesley Rugby Club can move home.

On Tuesday night Tyldesley RUFC members voted on a move from the bottom of Well Street to a new ground and clubhouse on reclaimed land off Astley Street.

Earlier planners deferred an application from the club for three rugby and two soccer pitches, floodlighting, a clubhouse with changing rooms, car park and entrance.

Approval of the development - on Green Belt land owned by Peel Holdings - would be subject to referral and approval to the Secretary of State because of the site's status.

In exchange for providing the land, part of a huge reclaimed tract of colliery wasteland snapped-up when Greater Manchester Council was disbanded, Peel would get the Well Street ground.

But locals living on the estate adjoining the rugby ground aren't happy.

They claim a bungalow on Hollins Close has been acquired for demolition to provide access to any new development on the rugby ground.

One of them, Armin Pennington, who was among the Tyldesley residents who fought to preserve Astley Street playing fields, says neighbours are up-in-arms about the prospect of traffic chaos.

He told The Journal: "The rugby ground is 3.82 hectares and that means at least another 100 homes or another 200 cars using Hollins Close and Chalfont Drive as an access route if this bungalow is demolished.

"We don't envisage many people using Well Street so it would just add to road problems."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.