A CONTROVERSIAL decision to allow the building of 129 homes on Westhoughton's green belt could be a 'game-changer' for development across Greater Manchester.

Bellway Homes' appeal against Bolton Council's refusal of a plan for green space in Bowlands Hey, off Collingwood Way, was allowed by a Government planning inspector last week following a public inquiry, to the horror of local residents and councillors.

There have been long-standing fears that such a decision would open the floodgates for more development on nearby, including the Hulton Park Estate, but leaders elsewhere in the region have also taken note of the Government's stance.

Cllr Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, fears that a 'free for all' could now ensue on green belt land across Greater Manchester.

Campaigners from all of the city-region's 10 boroughs have previously voiced serious concerns over huge swathes of green belt earmarked for house-building by developers in the first draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

Cllr Shori said: "The events in neighbouring Bolton, where a Government planning inspector approved the building of homes on protected open land against the wishes of local people and the local council is a game-changer.

"It seemingly means an end to the protection of building on greenbelt by the Government and could lead to a free for all for developers to build on green sites where they choose, sites that are in addition to those already included within the first draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework."

The GMSF — which initially outlined plans for 16,000 new homes in Bolton and 12,000 in Bury — is currently being redrawn in response to the outcry from residents, and a second draft is expected in July 2018.

A Planning Inspectorate decision is also due to be made on the appeal concerning Persimmon's plan to build 300 homes at Lee Hall, Westhoughton.

The appeal was also held earlier this year after Bolton Council refused the proposal.

Peel Holdings' proposals to build more than 1,000 homes and a championship golf course on the Hulton Park Estate are still going through Bolton Council's planning process.

They are expected to come before the planning committee in the coming months.