BOLTON’S former Chief Planning Officer accepted that the building of a house which was markedly different from what had been approved should not have happened.

Lostock Residents’ Group was assured, in writing, that steps had been taken to avoid a repetition of this error by building control staff.

Given the current situation at Grundy Farm, it would be of interest to know what the steps were and why they have not worked.

Retrospective approval, even of a part of what has been built, is unfair to those who play by the rules. It gives encouragement to those who see the ‘Build First; Ask Later’ approach to the planning system as a risk worth taking.

Dr M M F Collier

Chairman, Lostock Residents' Group