Developers are appealing a decision by Bolton's planning bosses to throw out plans to build a block of flats.

Avantgarde put forward an application to build a block of 17 flats on land at the back of Roka Restaurant on Bradshaw Brow.

The site in question was previously the Royal Oak Pub bowling green.

The plans had previously been rejected in 2019 over the access, design and a loss of trees.

But in April 2020 plans were put forward again only to be rejected in November last year.

The reason given by the decisions were that it failed to “make reasonable provision or contribution towards the cost of appropriate physical, social and green infrastructure required by the proposed development and or to mitigate the impact of the development.”

The local authority also said it does “not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area.”

But now Avantgarde has launched a fresh appeal against the latest setback.

The applicants said on the last occasion that the plans would involve smaller buildings than previously proposed.

The proposals would have 22 car parking spaces attached to it.

The Friends of Longsight park strongly opposed the plans citing pollution and traffic problems that the development could cause.

They also said it could impact wildlife.

READ MORE: Plans for 17 apartments rejected after zero contribution to town

Access to the scheme was originally proposed to come from Back Bradshaw Brow East, but this was changed to be from the restaurant car park.

Highways Engineers raised no objections to these proposals but said the applicants should propose £3,500 plus VAT towards modifying the staging traffic lights.

A report from Bolton Council identified the main impacts of the proposal as the loss of the former bowling green, the impact on the highway, impact on the character and the appearance of the area, impact on trees, biodiversity, drainage and flood risk, the impact on the amenity of neighbouring and future residents and the effect on local infrastructure.