PLANS to build six new houses in a Westhoughton farm where a Wanderers’ physiotherapist was based have been revealed.

A farm house and several outbuildings at Ashcrofts Farm could be demolished to make way for six detached dwellings along with associated garages.

The site lies within the green belt but has been used for residential and commercial purposes including as a physiotherapy practice.

An outline planning application proposing the redevelopment of Ashcroft Farm has been submitted to Bolton Council.

It said: “The proposal seeks to achieve a truly sustainable housing development with good eco-credentials and meeting the up to date Building Regulations specifications and codes.”

The farm is close to a group of terraced houses opposite across Chorley Road and is located near Baxter’s Garden Centre.

Although the land is considered by the council to be in the green belt it has been argued that the development will have little impact on the openness of the site and will therefore not cause any encroachment into open countryside.

If planning permission is granted, the existing former farm house, which is in poor structural condition, and several outbuildings would be demolished.

A total of six new “high-quality” dwellings would be built in their place.

Private car parking spaces for each dwelling would be provided on site.

The modern commercial property to the rear of the site will be retained for continued non-residential use or possibly converted into housing as well.

Cosgroves, which was based at the Ashcroft’s Farm in 2010, has now moved to a new purpose-built premises off Church Road in Westhoughton.

In 2012, Stuart Cosgrove submitted plans to build a physiotherapy centre at Brinsop House Farm in Chorley Road but planning permission was refused.

At the time, the former Mr UK title holder said he wanted to continue to practice in the area to continue treating players at Bolton Wanderers and maintain his links with Royal Bolton Hospital and the University of Bolton.

Council officers are due to decide whether to grant permission in principle to demolish the buildings at Ashcrofts Farm and erect six dwellings by July.