UP to five houses could be built on a Westhoughton farm if plans are given the green light at the town hall.

An existing rendered stone house, brick-built garage and wooden outbuildings in Yew Tree Farm would be demolished to make way for "good quality" homes.

The "semi-rural" site in Green Common Lane is not in the green belt but is located in a Protected Open Land Area.

Council policy states that some development could be permitted if it does not have a greater impact on the openness of the natural beauty spot than what already exists on the site.

The applicant, Mr Sydney John Williams, argues that proposed redevelopment of the "well-screened" site would have a "limited" and "contained" impact.

Elsewhere in the borough, another outline application to demolish a farm building to make way for a new house has been submitted.

An existing barn could be knocked down and a two-storey detached house would be built in Morris Farm, Lostock if the plans are granted permission.

The land east of Oak Stables got permission for four dwellings in 2006.