PLANS to build a new housing estate on green belt land in Astley Bridge have been thrown out by a Government planning inspector.

Cambrian homes appealed against Bolton Council’s decision to turn down plans for 20 homes on land off Waverley Road.

The Warrington-based firm argued that the authority was deliberately stopping development on green belt land despite there being a need.

But John Yellowley, the planning inspector, dismissed the appeal because the arguments for allowing the development on green belt land were outweighed by his concerns for the particular development and its design.

Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh, his ward colleague Cllr Hilary Fairclough and local residents gave evidence to the planning inspector during a one-day hearing at Bolton Town Hall last month.

Mr Yellowley said he had considered the principle of a development on the site, the effects of the design, layout and character of the development and how it fitted in with the strategy for providing affordable homes in the area before coming to his decision.

Cllr Walsh, who sits on the borough’s planning committee, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the planning inspector has agreed with the points we raised and dismissed the appeal.

“The planning officers actually recommended the scheme for approval but I am glad that the planning committee dismissed it based on the objections we put forward.

“I knew we had a strong argument and the planning committee’s decision to go against the officer’s recommendation has been vindicated by the planning inspector.”

No one at Cambrian Homes was available for comment.