Horwich Advertiser Issue 630

Page 2 December 2025 AD SALES 01204 478812 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every e!ort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson: ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING Jayne Meadowcroft: 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS Teresa Bond: 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US Police launch winter of action New homes plans unveiled PLANS for two large-scale hous- ing developments in the West- houghton area have been unveiled by developers. A full planning application has been submitted to Bolton Council to build more than 1,450 new homes at Lee Hall, following a public consultation earlier this year. The plans include the new Park Ave- nue link road to ease congestion at the Chequerbent roundabout, together with homes, employment space, community infrastructure and a 15-acre park. The Lee Hall development is one of the first proposals to form part of the Northfold growth initiative across Bol- ton and Wigan. The site is next door to Hulton Park, another proposed development which aims to bring golf’s Ryder Cup to the area. The Lee Hall application has been sub- mitted by Peel Land, the company which is also behind Hulton Park. It says the proposal for 1,450 fam- ily and affordable homes will help to tackle the housing crisis and address the longstanding shortfall of new homes in Bolton. Around 25,000 sq m of new employ- ment floorspace is proposed which it says will provide opportunities for local busi- nesses to grow. Peel says the development will deliver a longstanding vision for Westhoughton, providing “infrastructure-led growth that unlocks major benefits for the town”. The plans also include the provision of a GP surgery, a primary school, a care home, local retail facilities and a new community centre. Nick Graham, associate planning Vision: A CGI of the Lee Hall park plan (Photo credit: Peel Land) A WINTER crime blitz is underway across the bor- ough of Bolton as police teams come together to support a Home Office- led campaign. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is supporting the ‘Winter of Action’ as part of its crime-busting Operation North Star which began in November. It follows GMP’s Safe4Sum- mer work, which sawmultiple crime-types tackled across the board earlier this year. That operation saw shoplift- ing and theft reduced by 20 per cent, street crime down by 11 per cent, and serious violent crime down by eight per cent. North Star will concentrate on retail crime, anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, and the night-time economy. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle said: “Through our ongoing Operation North Star, our local policing teams will be supporting the Home Office’s Winter of Action campaign, and utilise all of the resources we have at our disposal to provide the best possible service to keep the people of Greater Manches- ter safe. “The Winter period is a time for families and friends to come together and enjoy themselves without the risk of having issues from those who look to cause harm and anti-social behaviour. “It is those people that can expect a knock on the door from us, whether it’s a polite word of advice or a new pair of handcuffs for Christmas, we simply won’t tolerate crime or anti-social behaviour in our communities.” Kate Green, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Everyone deserves to feel secure in their neighbour- hoods or when out and about, especially during the fes- tive season.” Bolton West MP Phil Brick- ell has also welcomed the ini- tiative. He said: “Residents across Bolton West are fed up with rising crime on their high streets, and they’re demanding action. “The Winter of Action marks a clear shift: more police patrols, faster crack- downs on offenders, and gen- uine support for shopkeepers who’ve been left to cope with the fallout. A tougher stance on money laundering is also vital. Cut- ting off the financial lifelines of criminal groups makes it far harder for them to operate — and sends a blunt message that crime won’t pay.” � Cont frompage one “When we were told Kacey’s transplant had been success- ful, it felt like winning every lottery in the world all at once – an absolute miracle.” Kacey was just three when he underwent the multi-organ transplant in which he received a new liver, small intestine, and large colon. Vicky said: “Kacey is pure joy, always smiling and dancing, with a cheeky charm that melts hearts. Throughout it all, Kacey has just had a big smile on his face and just got through with so much strength. “Since his transplant, Kacey has been able to eat. He can have baths and showers, and he can go in a swimming pool. He was able to have a paddling pool this summer, it was amazing. The greatest gift of all Strength: Kacey at the Transplant games (Photo credit Derian House) Disney delight: Kacey’s family (Photo credit Derian House) TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS CALL 01204 478812 there for Brody, and coun- selling was a lifeline for me. We also made precious fam- ily memories at their holiday lodges, since we couldn’t travel abroad.” She added: “Even though Kacey has had the trans- plant, it is not a cure. But we’re on a different journey now. The hospice is still there to support us all. I don’t know what all of us families would do without the love and support from everyone at Derian House. “If you can do, please donate to Derian House to help a family like mine get the love and support they deserve this Christmas.” Caroline Taylor, deputy chief executive at Derian House, said: “As many pre- pare to celebrate, Christmas can be an uncertain time for families who don’t knowwhat the future holds. For Kacey’s family, the best gift of all was good news. “Stories like Kacey’s enable us to raise awareness of what we do – and the impact it has. Derian House has been help- ing children make precious memories and giving families care and support when they need it most for more than 30 years. We are always here for those who need us.” For details about how to donate to Derian House’s Christmas appeal visit www. derianhouse.co.uk You can’t take anything like that for granted. “It makes you realise how precious time, and all the small things in your life are.” Kacey started school in Sep- tember. Vicky said: “It’s amile- stone we never knew he would make. It’s been emotional as we have never been apart before in all of his life – I’ve been his constant carer. It’s been amazing for him because he loves other children. He’s been so excited and we’re so proud of him. “Kacey even recently took part in the 2025 British Transplant Games in Oxford. He won a gold medal in archery and a bronze medal in sprint, just one year after his lifesaving transplant.” And in October last year, the family enjoyed a holiday in Disneyland thanks to a mystery donor. Vicky said: “Derian House was there for us throughout it all. Playgroup was Kacey’s only safe space to socialise with other children. And we loved spending time in the sen- sory room and watching films in the cinema. “The sibling group was director at Peel Land, said: “Our recent public consultation highlighted the com- munity’s strong desire for a solution to the longstanding traffic woes at Chequer- bent, which we know will only increase over time. “Our proposals for Lee Hall – which will fulfil a vision first set nearly 60 years ago for an east wing of Westhoughton – will deliver this, alongside new homes, a school, care home, community facilities, and the park, providing major benefits for existing and future residents.” Meanwhile, housebuilder Persimmon has unveiled plans for a new 230-home estate on a green field site on ChewMoor Lane. The developer has launched a pub- lic consultation and also says its plan for the land close to the M61 will help deliver much-needed new homes to support Bol- ton’s housing requirements. The site is approximately 9.4 hectares and sits next to the north-eastern edge of Westhoughton. It is currently in agricul- tural use, comprising of two field parcels separated by a farm access track. Commenting on the Lee Hall plan, Bolton West MP Phil Brickell said he backed building new homes to meet local housing needs. However, he added: “Any additional housing must be accompanied by infrastructure and sustainable trans- port links. “Without adequate safeguards, large- scale developments in Bolton West will put further strain on already congested roads and public services.” He said he would continue to push for financial backing from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for the full completion of a proposed new road linking Chequerbent, along Hulton Park and into Atherton.