CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build 13 new homes on a cherished green space have been given the go ahead by planners.

The borough’s main housing provider, Bolton at Home, has been granted planning permission for 10 bungalows and three houses on at land off Deane Close, Cherry Tree Avenue and Watson Road, in Farnworth.

Residents had campaigned against the application on the green space and ward councillor Sue Haworth had branded it “preposterous”,

But members of the planning committee were unanimous in their decision.

Nick Peel, Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for the environment, said: “From a consistency point of view we do need social housing, there’s a growing problem with social housing across the country and anything like this that does come up is very quickly snapped off — often by people who live in the very area it will serve.”

However he added that councillors should listen “carefully and sympathetically” to residents in such areas. He continued: “These are inner-urban sites in Bolton where greenfield sites may not be as large as in other parts of the borough, but they are still just as precious to the people that live there.”

Cllr Bob Allen praised the “excellent design” of the scheme and the “restraint” in leaving more than half of the green space untouched.

But Cllr Sue Haworth, opposing the plans, said: “Some of the residents, especially in the bungalows, chose to move in years ago because of the open aspect of the green. So residents feel it fundamentally changes the character and appearance of where they live.”

And she added that there was a “pressing need” to both save and create green space in social housing areas.

Resident Geoff Hawk also urged the panel to refuse the application, telling members his main concern was the “loss of open green land”

He said: “It’s well documented that green spaces contribute to better health. If we get rid of one to make room for more houses it will be a shame”