PLANS for blocks of flats and a house have been approved for the site of a notorious former Farnworth pub.

The eight apartments in two blocks along with an additional home have been passed for land to the rear on 229, Highfield Road, which was formerly occupied by The Flying Shuttle pub.

An earlier scheme proposed more apartments and was refused by planners at Bolton Council but the resubmitted plans reduced the number of units.

A convenience store was built and operates elsewhere on the land once occupied by the Flying Shuttle.

The pub gained notoriety back in 2012 when it was labelled 'Britain's roughest pub'.

The Bolton News: "Britain's toughest pub" reopens - as a Farnworth supermarket

The flats are earmarked for the car park of the former pub, which was shut down by Bolton Council in 2012 after evidence of drug taking, arson attacks and staff too scared to tell customers to leave was uncovered.

A design and access statement submitted on behalf of applicant Krishna Das, said: “The surrounding area is an established residential area served by local shops and services fronting Highfield Road.

“It is in a sustainable location with good accessibility on foot with regular bus services operating on both Anchor Lane and Highfield Road.”

The plans now permitted are for eight two-bedroom flats and one three-bed house.

The flats will have shared amenity space to the rear of the apartment blocks, measuring approximately 297 sq metres, which is significantly above the 18 sq metres per apartment recommended.

The proposed house will have a private garden area of approximately 68 sq metres.

Access will be from Anchor Lane on to Back Tern Avenue to the south of the site.

A Bolton Council planning report concluded that the development should go ahead.

It stated: “Overall, it is acknowledged that this is an infill site which has constraints, mainly the relationship with 229 Highfield Road to the rear.

“Despite this, the proposed scheme has been designed to mitigate against any potential impacts on the future living conditions of residents, by focusing the principal outlook onto Back Tern Avenue and Anchor Lane, ensuring sufficient external amenity space and internally designing the units to meet the national space standards.

“Given the housing shortfall in Bolton and taking into consideration the tilted balance, the benefits of housing provision are considered to outweigh any harm identified.

“The proposal is therefore recommended for approval.”

One of the conditions of planning permission is that nine car parking spaces are provided on the land for those living in the new properties.