AN approved bid to demolish a disused building and turn it into a block of flats has been criticised by a town council.

Plans were passed by Bolton Council at the end of January to demolish a vacant building in Harrison Street, Horwich, and build a three storey block of flats in its place.

The block would comprise 10 one-bedroom flats with one two-bedroom flat with space for nine cars to be parked.

The application was submitted by Next Stage Ltd, based in Westhoughton and approved by Bolton Council on January 29.

But the plans had been slammed by Horwich Town Council last October.

Horwich town councillor David Grant, said: "It is completely inappropriate in its scale, planning, parking and amenity provision.

“Eleven dwellings with just nine spaces is not acceptable, and again the highways officer who clearly has never been to Horwich when there isn’t a lockdown suggesting the overflow of residents and visitors will park out of sight on in the town centre car parks is completely out of touch with reality.

“Not only is this logic flawed but our very limited spaces are there for residents and visitors to use the town centre. It is not as an overflow for Bolton planners failed policy on property design and failure to stick to their own guidelines.

“The properties have no gardens and the room sizes are below national standards."

Cllr Grant said it was now vital Horwich progressed its own neighbourhood plan.

Planning officers outlined why the proposals were deemed acceptable, stating: “The application site is previously developed land within Horwich town centre.

"It is in a highly sustainable location, close to local shops, services, community facilities, schools and public transport...The proposed development would therefore represent sustainable development.

“It is considered, subject to the imposition of conditions, that the proposed development would not jeopardise highway safety or have a detrimental impact on the capacity of the local highway network."

The application report also cited the availability of nearby free car parks for visitors and possible on-street waiting restrictions.

Two letters of objection were also submitted by members of the public.

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