PLANNING proposals that have two families at loggerheads have left councillors facing a moral dilemma.

Permission has been sought to build a large single-storey extension at the back of a home in Old Quarry Lane, Egerton, to house a disabled teenager.

The 18-year-old’s family say building an extension with new bedroom and en suite is the only way they will be able to keep looking after their son at home.

But their neighbours have objected to the plans on the grounds the extension would overshadow their house and garden – impacting on their enjoyment of their home.

The man who lives there is also disabled and has a terminal illness, spending much of the summer months in the garden because the sun’s warmth helps with his symptoms.

The plans seek permission for a larger extension than what is usually considered acceptable under planning regulations.

But Bolton Council policy states that it is sympathetic to the additional needs of people with disabilities and a departure from guidance is sometimes necessary.

The proposals, which were initially deferred after a previous planning committee meeting, were discussed by councillors at the Town Hall on Thursday.

Several alternatives had been discussed since the earlier meeting but the applicants said after discussions with health specialists they have decided none were suitable.

However, if permission is granted for the extension they have offered to delay building works until September to allow their neighbour an undisturbed summer.

The 18-year-old’s carer told the meeting the extension was a “make or break” proposal to allow him to be cared for at home and give him back some dignity.

She added: “The only choice the family have is to try and keep them all together by caring for him at home.”

But Paul Finch, speaking on behalf of the objecting neighbours, questioned why none of the alternatives suggested were acceptable to the applicant.

He offered to pay for their kitchen to be re-fitted after the applicants cited the “extreme costs” of reinstalling their new kitchen elsewhere one reason why their existing kitchen could not be converted into the new bedroom.

Cllr Norman Critchley asked the committee to defer its decision, saying it was the hardest planning application he had ever had to make a decision on.

He added: “While I can support the application to improve the lifestyle of a boy of 18, I cannot say yes to the plans when I know what the consequences will be to the adult next door.”

Cllr David Greenhalgh, seconding the deferral, said: “More time is needed for the committee to feel assured every possible avenue has been investigated. I cannot currently vote either way on this, because it is so emotive.”

The committee voted unanimously in favour of again deferring the application in order to again on seeking a compromise between the two families.