A DECISION on whether Smithills Coaching house can be converted into homes has been delayed.

English Heritage, which is charged with the protection of the country’s historic buildings, has objected to proposals to convert the Grade II listed building into eight homes and build 21 houses on surrounding greenbelt land.

Bolton Council ’s planning committee was due to make a decision about the scheme on August 23.

But this has now been delayed following English Heritage’s concerns — and no new date has been set.

A council spokesman said: “We’ve responded to this by cancelling a meeting planned for August 23 and will now talk to the applicant about the concerns of English Heritage and address the issues raised by them.”

Developer Jones Homes claims the plans would prevent the building from falling into disrepair.

But following a meeting with Jones Homes at the site, English Heritage claims the proposals do not make clear how the development would impact on the surrounding gardens and the view from Smithills Hall.

It also said it would not support plans to replace historic windows with double glazed fittings and claims that “insufficient information and expert advice” has been made available by the developer for the full impact of the proposals to be understood.

A spokesman for English Heritage said: “English Heritage believes the applicant has not submitted sufficient evidence to enable the planning authority to make an informed judgement on the effect of the proposed development on designated heritage assets and their settings and has advised that the application should not be decided until additional information is available.

“This is our principal concern at present. If the council wishes to determine the application without further information our advice is that the application should be refused. If the council were to recommend the application for approval on the basis of the present information we will consider whether further action will be appropriate.

“Our initial view is it is likely the new development will have a harmful effect on the setting of the grade II Coaching House, the grade II landscape and the grade I listed Smithills Hall.”

Jones Homes has asked for time to consider English Heritage’s concerns.

Joe Savage, regional director at Jones Homes, said: “We are considering the comments made by English Heritage and are currently working with our heritage consultants and architects.”

Even if Bolton Council gives the development the go ahead it must be given final approval by the Secretary of State, where any unresolved objection by English Heritage would carry considerable weight.

The Coaching House has been run as a restaurant for 46 years and will close on August 27 with all 30 staff made redundant .

Plans to convert it into homes have led to a storm of protest from angry residents, councillors and heritage campaigners.

Smithills councillor Roger Hayes said: “The concerns of English Heritage endorse many of those shared by local residents, in that they recognise that the proposed development will have an impact on Smithills Hall and the estate in general. The Green Belt is also very important for this area and should be protected.”

Brian Tetlow, chairman of Bolton and District Civic Trust, said: “It’s commendable that English Heritage has exercised its right in questioning the development of a listed building.

“It’s another facet of this rather vexatious issue.”