PLANS to build a housing estate on a historic village site have been deferred following residents' and conservation group protests.

The decision on Wainhomes (Northwest) Ltd's application to Wigan Council's development control committee to build 56 new homes and renovate the existing listed buildings at Town Farm and Lawsons Farm, Warrington Road, Golborne, was made following a site visit by councillors.

The developers propose to demolish five buildings including 3, Bridge Street and a cowhouse at Lawsons Farm and reopen Pierpoint Street which forms an important feature between the two listed buildings.

The scheme shows that Town Farm's main barn will be converted to a terrace of three properties and 51 new homes consisting of terraced blocks, semi and detached properties will be built.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England, Golborne and District Environmental Action Group, 11 families and Cllr Peter Franzen have written letters objecting to the plans.

A Golborne and District Environmental Action Group spokesman said: "We consider the development will be an irredeemable, grossly damaging blight on one of the most environmentally sensitive sites in Golborne and district."

He said that while appreciating the argument for jobs the English Partnerships-council sanctioned Stone Cross Industrial Park close to the site has already cost the Golborne and district environment dear with noise, excessive increase in traffic, pollution and the in-your-face ugliness of the development on what was once one of the blighted town's green oases.

It suggests the land should be used for a heritage, local history and community educational centre with associated projects including an urban farm.

Lightshaw Cllr Peter Franzen said: "This historic site is one of the few remaining irreplaceable vestiges of Golborne's heritage and one which wall-to-wall housing of the type proposed would destroy."