A DEMOLISHED golf clubhouse site that became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour could remain undeveloped for three years, after a town hall ruling was overturned.

Councillors ordered earlier this year that work to build six homes on the former Bolton Open Golf Club site in Harwood had to start within 12 months, but the developer has now won an appeal to extend that deadline to three years.

The clubhouse itself, which was badly damaged in a fire in 2015, has now been demolished and instances of dozens of young people congregating at the site have since reduced.

A Government planning inspector warned that the area would be 'likely' to attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour until it is redeveloped, but concluded that a 12-month deadline would put developers off buying the site.

The inspector, Victoria Lucas-Gosnold, said: "It is understandable that larger developers may prove reluctant to purchase the site as a viable prospect as should the permission lapse then a re-submission would be required and this wold inevitably lead to delay and additional costs.

"The consequence of this would be that the appeal site would remain in its current state with the timescale for its redevelopment uncertain. In the meantime, it would continue to be a visually unattractive feature that would be

harmful to the character and appearance of the area. It would also be likely to continue to attract incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour that would be harmful to the living conditions of residents living in the local area."

She added: "Whilst I appreciate the council’s desire to ensure the prompt re-development of the site, there is a balance that needs to be achieved between securing this aim whilst ensuring that the timescale imposed for doing so is not unreasonable such that the appeal site remains undeveloped for the foreseeable future."

Planning agent Paul Sedgwick confirmed that the plot is currently on the market, but that a public footpath must be diverted before any development can begin.

A council spokesman said: “We are disappointed by the Inspector’s decision. At planning committee in March, a condition was added to the planning permission that work had to start within 12 months in an effort to get the site redeveloped as quickly as possible.

“The developer submitted a further application seeking the same approval but with a three years commencement condition.

“This was refused at committee in April, which the developer appealed. As a result of the Inspector’s decision in August, the application has now been approved with a three year start condition.”