A decision on controversial  plans to demolish two bungalows  and build a block of flats and new homes has been deferred by Bolton's planning chiefs.

The proposal to build a block of 35 flats along with eight houses on land of Grizedale Close, Smithills, was controversial with residents and original plans for the site were thrown out last  November.

New plans were submitted, with some of flats reduced from two to one bedroom with walk-on balconies replaced by Juliet balconies, and put before Bolton Council's planning committee.

More than 1,000 residents signed a petition against the plans with Bolton West MP Chris Green signalling his opposition.

Mr Green said: “I’m still in the same place on this, basically the new flats will be overlooking people’s gardens, it creates significant problems with congestion and suburban areas with large gardens should be protected.”

The Bolton News:

An artist's impression of how the new block of flats could look

He added: “If we’re going to have new housing in Bolton then that’s actually what brownfield land is there for.”

Mr Green had previously warned that the development would lead to loss of local green space, felling of trees.

Along with Mr Green’s objections 954 residents had signed an online petition against the plan, while 94 people had written letters of objection to the council.

If approved, the project will see a total of 43 homes, including the 35 flats and eight houses built following the demolition of Somerville Bungalow along with another bungalow at Grizedale Close.

Developer Watson homes claims that the flats will all be classified as 'affordable' and will help meet the need for housing stock in the area, while council officers had recommended the scheme for approval given that the updated plans mean that the flats meet nationally agreed space standards.

The Bolton News:

The planned site off Grizedale Close in Smithills

The Highways Department has also not raised any objections to the updated scheme.

But the planning committee voted unanimously to defer voting on the plans until further information could be gathered and after it emerged that objections remained in place.

They will now be voted on at the next meeting of Bolton Council’s planning committee next month

Cllr John Walsh, who chairs the committee, said he hoped members would be able to make a more informed decision by that time.