FOUR detached five-bedroom houses will be built on Tottington's green belt in place of an existing bungalow.

The decision was made at the planning committee on Tuesday despite objections from residents of the village and their ward councillors.

Chris Hornby, a long-standing resident of Hawkshaw Village, claimed that the proposal runs contrary to the council's own policy because it is on a green belt site.

Cllr Khalid Hussain said: “We are very proud that we have luscious green fields in places like Hawkshaw. This sets a very dangerous precedence. Once we begin to build on green belt then how in the future can we reject other applications?"

Conservative leader James Daly also objected to the plan arguing that it does not meet the "very special circumstances" test for green belt development.

Head of development management David Marno said that "limited infilling" in villages is acceptable.

Speaking on behalf of the developer, Nick Fillingham mentioned that there were 33 letters supporting the application.

It was approved unanimously.