An 'administrative error' caused Bolton Council to wrongly approve a plan for an attic conversion in a conservation area it was supposed to refuse.

The plan for a dormer extension at the back of a house on Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, was submitted to the authority in October 2022.

As the site is in the Dunscar Conservation Area, the proposal was considered by the Design and Conservation Officer, who ruled it was a 'bulky and boxy addition' which would 'detract from the character of the dwelling'.

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But an 'administrative error' saw the council send a notice of approval instead of a notice of refusal, a decision the authority is only able to overturn with a revocation order under the Town and County Planning Act 1990.

A report by the Design and Conservation Officer reads: "The proposed dormer extends the whole width of the roof and projects just above the ridge which would be visible from open land and from footpaths to the rear. It would present a bulky and boxy addition to the roof which would appear incongruous and overdominant and detract from the character of the dwelling.

The Bolton News:

"There are no other dormers in the terrace. There are some smaller pitched roof dormers on an adjacent building, but these are more subservient. By virtue of its size and bulk, the proposed dormer would not be compatible with the townscape and the character of the area."

Bolton Council realised its mistake a short time afterwards and the revocation order was issued last month. It is understood no work was undertaken on the attic conversion.

But the revocation order is in need of confirmation by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove. If it is not confirmed, the notice of approval stands.

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A council spokesperson said: "Action was taken in order to correct this administrative error. We have apologised to the applicant for any confusion or inconvenience caused."

According to the House of Commons Library, a revocation order is rare, with only three submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in the space of more than six years up to 2016.

It is not known when the Planning Inspectorate is set to make its decision.