Nine home plan at Longsight Lane after appeal decision

The development would be opposite a car park for Longsight Park, which is off Longsight Lane.

The new proposal is being described by some as a compromise, due to it reducing the scale of development from previous proposals.

It could see more than half of the land also made available for community use.

The application seeks Permission in Principle for up to nine homes on land, where a previous proposal for 20 houses was dismissed on appeal earlier this year.

The plans off Longsight Lane (Image: Planning Documents)

The latest application covers a smaller area of the site and is now open for consultation.

Jane Wilcock, a resident, said: “I don’t think building on any green site is very good, but there’s been a political change over the last couple of years.

“I think nine houses on a field that we don’t access, which fronts up onto Longsight Lane, given that we are then allowed community access, is the best that could happen.

“Obviously animals can get over into the park and onto the site of biological importance, so it is probably about as good as we can get.”

Although remaining land could potentially be being transferred for community benefit, details of how that would happen have not yet been agreed.

The planning statement says the reduced site avoids surrounding woodland, veteran trees, and the Site of Biological Importance identified during the previous appeal.

Permission in Principle would establish whether the site is suitable for housing in principle, with technical details such as access, ecology, and landscaping considered later if approved.

(Image: Jane Wilcock)

Dr Wilcock added: “I think it’s very difficult to defend that nine houses on that land in the current political climate, of building on green belts, and protected open land throughout Bolton.

“Provided he comes true with his promise on allowing that land to be gifted to the council, however they do it, then I think that’s probably the best of the bad job.”

Applicant Robin Day said the revised proposal followed discussions with residents after an agreement with a developer ended.

He said: “We thought a very good compromise was to develop the front field. Not all of it, but some of it.

A field on the land which could be built on (Image: NQ)

“And then give the rest of the land back to the community.

“We’ve had four years of this, and we just want to bring it to an end. It seems the compromise that’s been reached is a happy one.”

Mr Day said public footpaths would not be affected and that the remaining land could be used by the community if the plans proceed.

One of the Harwood and Bradshaw councillors, Les Webb, has objected to the application.

(Image: Bolton Council)

Cllr Webb said: “The planning in principle, in my opinion, should be refused on the basis that the Planning Inspector clearly stated why this site was unsuitable before.

“There is still discussion about the Site of Biological Importance, about the runoff, about the movement of animals, about the traffic.

“All of those objections and things that were upheld by the Planning Inspectorate still will remain in place.”

Bolton Council will decide the application after the consultation period ends.