DEVELOPERS have revealed plans to build almost 100 homes on a large patch of land in Prestwich.

Redrow Homes has applied to Bury Council for permission to build 30 apartments and 67 houses on a site off Clifton Road, stretching towards the rear of the Tesco superstore.

A total of 24 properties would be classed as 'affordable homes' and would be sold at a discounted rate.

Bury Council has identified the site as suitable for housing and it granted outline planning permission for a housing development in 1993, though a detailed proposal was never tabled and the permission expired.

Under the new proposal, there would be 251 parking spaces and vehicles would access the 15-acre site via Pinfold Drive and Clifton Road and pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles would access via Kingswood Road.

An area of woodland at the south of the site would be turned into a park with a pond, and a 16-space car park would be built by a football field off Clifton Road, which is used by Prestwich Marauders Football Club for about 20 per cent of their games.

Marauders chairman Chris Abbott said he has met Redrow officials about the plan and is due to meet again with them tomorrow. The club has have tentatively welcomed the proposal.

An application document says Redrow met Bury Council officers in January and "officers confirmed that residential development would be acceptable in principle, and welcomed by the council."

It added: "Approximately 50 per cent of the site will remain undeveloped and enhanced as publicly accessible open space for the benefit of residents in the wider area."

The council has written to 320 neighbours with details of the application and, with just over two weeks to go before the public consultation ends, five people have formally objected.

About 50 people discussed the application at a meeting at Prestwich Church Institute in Bury New Road, Prestwich, last Thursday evening.

According to Deborah Meara, from Prestwich Residents Group, people voiced concerns about the possible removal of trees from the site, added traffic congestion and increased pressure on schools and health facilities.

Ms Meara said: "The response from local people has been fantastic and has highlighted the genuine concerns that residents have regarding the planning application.

"Inparticular, we want to ensure that the development does not significantly impact on the area or the lives of local people, many of whom have lived here for a number of years."

Several neighbours of the site said they would welcome the development as it would reduce vandalism and create much-needed housing.

Philip Marsh, aged 67, of Kingswood Road, said: "My main concern would be the traffic. As long as they didn't open up Kingswood Road to vehicles, it would be alright.

"I know some people are worried that the three-storey buildings might overlook their houses so it could invade their privacy."

In the planning documents, Redrow said it would take steps to ensure privacy enjoyed at the existing homes will be respected.

Cllr Noel Bayley said: "This brownfield site has been earmarked for housing since Prestwich Hospital closed in the 1990s.

"However, nearby residents have some specific concerns, and I urge Bury Council's planning department to listen carefully to these.

"I am also disappointed that the developers have not set up a meeting with residents to outline their plans, as has happened with other recent schemes."

A Redrow spokesman said: "There is strong demand for new homes in the Greater Manchester area and we're looking forward to bringing much-needed quality family homes to Prestwich.

"The plans will ensure the retention of the protected open space to the south of the site accessed from Clifton Road."