RESIDENTS have been warned they face another fight in their battle to stop houses being built at Markland Hill.

Only days after Bolton Council rejected the proposed development following protests from nearby residents, developers revealed they intend to appeal against the decision.

Wainhomes Northwest was refused permission last week to build a three-storey apartment block and seven executive homes on land off off Markland Hill Road.

Bolton Council planning councillors agreed with residents that the buildings would leave the site over developed and would alter the character of a conservation area.

But bosses at the firm revealed they would be launching an appeal against the council decision.

It will be the second appeal which residents have been forced to fight in what has been dubbed The Battle Of Markland Hill.

Residents scored a victory over Crosby Homes last July when a planning inspector decided an application for 18 apartments and two detached homes on the site would represent over development.

Mark Cooper, land and planning director for Wainhomes Northwest, blasted the council's decision to refuse his firm's application.

"We spent months negotiating with planning officers at the council and we came up with a design which they were happy with and we were proud of," he said.

"But the members completely ignored their professional advice.

"We will be launching an appeal and applying for costs which people should be aware will have to be paid from the public rates."

Campaigner Janet Rae said the Heaton Residents' Association was confident that a planning inspector would again rule in their favour.

She said: "We are disappointed that they will take it to appeal but we are confident that it will be refused because it does not enhance or preserve the conservation area.

"We would be happy to see the developers put forward a more modest proposal. We are not interested in opposing all forms of development on the site.

"I am pleased that the council seems to be supporting us and taking notice of our concerns with regard the conservation area."

Acting on behalf of the developers, Paul Sedgewick, of Sedgewick Associates, said Wainhomes had altered the plan so the block of 21 apartments would only occupy the area of the house which currently stands there.

But councillors feared some of the character of the area would be lost by the mix of apartments and large detached homes on the site would introduce.

A second application for the Heaton area was also refused this week. Bellway Homes wanted to build 18 homes on land off Overdale Drive but were told it would threaten mature trees and intrude on the character of the area.