A LONG-RUNNING debate on how best to develop land on the Drake Hall estate in Westhoughton has moved closer to a resolution.

Town councillors approved a plan for a detached bungalow at 33-47 Drake Hall, having deferred a decision at their last meeting.

The plan follows a scheme from the same developer, Martindale Property Services, for a two-storey building containing four flats on fields on the estate.

This was rejected by Bolton Council, with the decision upheld on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.

But the bungalow, meant for disabled use, will be built on the car park if approved, only slightly encroaching on to the fields at the rear.

Cllr David Wilkinson, for Hoskers and Hart Common, said: “To be quite honest I think this is reasonable from the developer.

“If there was a problem with this the room would be full of people like it was last time.”