MORE than 1,700 people have said "no" to shops, surgery and community hall plans at Lowton.

And some of them would prefer a pleasant green in the heart of their village rather than a commercial centre.

Marshgate Developments Ltd want to build a shop, a hot food takeaway, veterinary surgery and community room on a patch of open land opposite St Luke's Church and alongside Church Lane.

Wigan planning officers had recommended approval of the scheme on the former council owned playground site which is nowadays used as an informal open space.

They felt although the loss of open space was regrettable it was acceptable because of the the new development's likely benefit to the local community.

A Bolton based vet and an agent acting for United Norwest Co-operatives convenience store chain said the site was ideal for the proposed uses.

But villager Jennifer Fellows argued: "The village is losing its identity, fields having been taken over by warehouses and fast food outlets. Lowton is a village, give us a village green opposite our local church, not a retail park."

Other objectors -- and 108 letters were sent in to Wigan MBC against the plans -- highlighted fears about loss of open space and privacy, security, traffic congestion, noise, pollution and loss of trees and the effect on wildlife.

Chris Pittman of Kings Avenue wrote: "This land should be used for the benefit of the community, young, old and disabled alike, somewhere to sit and soak up the village atmosphere. We certainly do not need more off-licences, fast food outlets or retail units. Do not build on our recreational land, keep it green."

Wigan's planning and development committee members will visit the site before making a decision.