CONTROVERSIAL plans to build more than 160 houses on a former Littleborough chemical works could be given the green light tonight (Wed).

Councillors are expected to approve Woodford Land’s application for outline planning permission to develop the old Akzo Nobel plant on Hollingworth Road at the Pennines Township Planning Committee meeting.

The news has come as a blow to protesters who believe measures to cover up contamination – including asbestos, fatty acid and oil – with a 900mm layer of soil and gravel don’t go far enough.

Barry Cropper, of Littleborough Canalside Development Group, has been a vocal opponent of the plans.

Tonight he is going to make a last-ditch attempt to persuade the committee to reject the proposals.

He said: "It is simple, ‘clean it up, not cover it up’.

"But I have got to the stage where it feels like I am banging my head against the wall.

"Our fear is that now the plans will be nodded through with a list of conditions as long as your arm and they won’t be properly policed."

A report from planning officers recommends the plans are approved but lists 36 conditions that must be adhered to, including the submission of a detailed remediation strategy for the site.

Woodford Land will also contribute £35,000 to improvements at Littleborough train station, £49,000 for improvements to the canal towpath and £164,000 to improve surrounding roads.

More than 20 letters of objection and a petition signed by 16 people have been received by the authority

The reports goes on to state: "The proposal would achieve satisfactory remediation of a contaminated site.

"The proposed new uses would represent a suitable mix of development and would represent the beneficial regeneration of this disused and now increasingly unattractive site."

The meeting takes place at 6.15pm tonight at the Town Hall.