DEVELOPERS who tore down a piece of Bolton’s heritage without consent have broken planning law say Bolton Council.

Westchurch Homes demolished Lostock House Farm Farmhouse at the weekend despite being refused permission just eight days before.

The company had submitted an application for the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of 13 new homes at the farm in Hall Lane.

A council spokesman said: “The demolition was not approved by the council, and by not following the correct procedure the developer’s actions contravene the requirements of the Building Act 1984, which is an offence.

“We are investigating the unauthorised demolition and have written to the developer.”

However, the developer claimed that they had issued the council with proper notification of their actions through a 2015 planning order.

Although the developer did not need planning permission for the demolition of the building they were required to submit a section 80 notice to the council, which they did before demolition.

However, before they knocked the building down they were required to wait for the council to respond with a section 81 notice with conditions relating to the demolition.

The council had not responded and consequently the Building Act has been contravened.

Online guidance states that people who commit the offence can be fined in a magistrate’s court.

Cllr Bob Allen said he hoped that the council would come down on the firm with a “heavy hand” to show to others that this behaviour is not acceptable.

He said: “They have obviously broken the rules deliberately because they have sent this Section 80, so it is clear that they were aware of what they should do.

“I am very critical of companies that choose to ignore the planning rules.

“Strong action should be taken against them because we have got a bit of a problem in Bolton at the moment with an increasing number of building work that is taking place without the correct permission.

“We have to make examples of people that do this to deter others from doing it in future.

“I would like to see the council come down with a heavy hand even if that means that it costs the council money to take these people to court, it should be pursued.”

In addition to breaking planning law, the company has also been reported to the police for damaging bat roosts, an illegal activity as bats are protected species.

The council is now considering what action to take.

Neighbours to the site were shocked to wake up on Saturday morning to the sound of heavy machinery on Saturday.

Andrew Roberts, who lives next door said: “I was saddened, surprised and alarmed.

“They have destroyed one of the few historic buildings that are left in Bolton.”