A PLANNING application, which received 29 objections and prompted a residents’ petition, was deferred by Bolton planning committee.

The application was to build two houses and demolish an existing bungalow, in Foxholes Road, Horwich.

It had previously been turned down in April, on the grounds of its detrimental effect to the area, the siting and scale of proposed roof terraces/ balconies and loss of trees.

Applicant Neil Pike Architects resubmitted the plans with reduced house sizes and changed the way they were situated.

However councillors were still unhappy with the proposal for one four-bedroom property and one three-bedroom property on the site.

Andrew Scholar spoke on behalf of the residents who had raised objections to the application.

He said: “It completely lacks visual compliance. This is not a huge plot and it is not consistent of the area which is mostly single storey and dormer properties.”

Ward councillor Richard Silvester said: “There have been 29 objections, including Horwich Town Council and a petition submitted with 61 local residents’ signatures.

“It has caused a lot of upset in the area and I don’t believe that the minor changes to the application make it justified for approval. It is not in the interests of the area.

“It is over development and would spoil the area’s character and appearance.”

Cllr Kevin McKeon said: “The conservation and status of this area is very important.

“Highways have not objected to the application but members will notice there is an unadopted highway that is maintained by residents.

“The volume of traffic, although minimal, will double the use of it and add a burden to residents and their amenity.”

Meanwhile Cllr Nicholas Peel said he believed “something better and more in keeping with the conservation area” could be designed.

Cllr Norman Critchley said: “The current building is not worthy of retention but I don’t particularly like this proposed building development.

“I would like us to consider deferring it so they can reconsider, because I do think this area is worthy of something better and this is a lost opportunity.”