A PLAN to demolish farm buildings and build eight new homes has been rejected by town councillors in Horwich.

Councillors unanimously voted against the plans for Hole Hill Farm, in Matchmoor Lane, but Bolton Council's planning committee will have the final say.

Plans drawn up by Neil Pike Architects state that the agricultural buildings at the farm will be flattened to make way for the homes, with some buildings being converted, as the owners are currently deriving limited income from the site.

The applicants state that the development will be in keeping with its place within the green belt, but councillors raised concerns at a meeting of the town council.

Cllr Steve Rock said: "All of those buildings around there date back a long time, and if you are going to get a new development there it is likely the buildings will be out of touch with the area."

Town council mayor Richard Silvester said that a number of residents had contacted him with concerns, including potential problems with access, impact on public footpaths and the impact of development on the green belt.

However, a planning document submitted by the applicant states that the development will enhance the wider landscape and the openness of the green belt.

A spokesman for the applicant said: "Hole Hill Farm is presently an almost intimidating group of buildings that have austere characteristics and incompatible visual relationships with little architectural or aesthetic merit.

"The harsh confrontational appearance of the ‘monolithic’ sheds, constructed of metal cladding and asbestos sheeting is uncomfortable on the eye and presents a very soulless visage of poor quality structures.

"The impact of the massing of these structures on the green belt is very harmful and uncompromising.

"These problematic structures by virtue of their massing, volume and floor area present an opportunity for development that can be exploited to significantly enhance the quality of the site and the space.

"It is anticipated that the development will successfully provide quality and value but more importantly will enhance the setting and make a strong contribution to the quality of the immediacy of space and the wider landscape."