A HISTORIC Victorian property could be turned into nine flats after an application to build an extension was approved.

Bolton Council's Planning Committee granted permission to Robert Townsend yesterday to demolition the garage of his home, Thorn Lea, off Chorley New Road, and expand the site with additional homes.

Concerns had been raised by other residents on the private Thorn Lea Close road over the loss of privacy in the street, while Cllr Bob Allen questioned whether the proposal should be approved within a conservation area, saying the work would neither "protect or enhance" the area.

There were also concerns about the number of cars which would be parked outside the new flats.

However, Cllr Nick Peel supported the proposal, arguing that the plans retained the character of the site, despite the extension. "It doesn't matter whether there's a family of four living in that house or whether there's nine different units," he said.

The property could now become eight two-bedroom apartments and a further one-bedroom apartment.