CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 78 new homes on greenspace land have been approved after developers appealed the decision by Bolton Council to throw out the application following residents’ objections.

The plan to build houses on Llama Fields on Lever Park Avenue, Horwich, had been rejected by the borough's planing bosses amid mass opposition from local people in 2020, including more than 110 letters of objection.

The objections included ‘the land is protected open land and should be protected from development’ and that ‘Horwich has had more than its fair share of new housing and is full to capacity’.

Other objectors said ‘housing should be built on brownfield sites instead’ that ‘there is space within the Horwich Loco site to build the required houses’ and ‘the land is important to and well loved by local residents’.

Developers Eccleston Homes appealed the decision and the government planning inspectorate has ruled in their favour.

Cllr David Grant, of the Horwich and Blackrod First Independents, said: “What is the point of a planning authority if their decisions can be overruled by the government?

“All because of an archaic rule that puts the balance of power in the hands of developers.”

Under the Greater Manchester housing plan rule, Bolton is required to build more homes.

Cllr Grant said: “We’ve now got literally no green spaces left in our town centre.”

The Bolton News:

Llama Fields as the area is now

Chris Green MP, pointed out that until the rules changes, there was no way of protecting green spaces.

He said: “The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework was supposed to give us the authority we need and we’re hoping this will be confirmed later this year by the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the leaders of the ten borough councils.

“Until this is approved, we can’t protect our greenspaces and this is somewhere were we need Mayor Andy Burnham to be leading rather than delaying the process.”

But, after hearing from local objectors, councillors and Eccleston Homes, the inspectorate ruled the need for new housing had to take priority.

The Bolton News:

A total of 78 new homes will be built

A statement said: “I note the local value placed on the site, particularly in third-party representations.

“However, in light of my conclusions around the effects and appearance of the entrance to the site in particular, and the effects of the proposal on the wider area of Lever Park Avenue, I do not find the proposal would cause unacceptable harm.

 “I must also balance the desire of third-parties to see this site remain an open field against the established, unmet, need for housing in the area.”

Eccleston Homes has also moved to reassure local residents.

Managing director Kevin Marren said: “Our approved development plan, which includes affordable homes, has been found to play a role in the provision of much-needed housing in the area."

He added: "But importantly, and as the inspectors report stated, the development will not impact on the view to Lever Park.”