Bolton: Vote on Radcliffe Road, Darcy Lever housing plan

The proposal was first unveiled back in October 2021 and will see a total of 112 houses built on land north of Radcliffe Road in Darcy Lever.

But it has proven controversial since then, with concerns having been raised about the loss of the field and possible knock-on effects to plans to extend the Metrolink from Bury to Bolton.

A Bolton Council report said: “The site is currently used for the most part as external caravan storage with a house for the business owners and associated outbuildings.

“The greenfield part is used for grazing horses.”

The plans were put before Bolton Council (Image: Morris Homes)

It added: “The landscape impact and effects on the openness of the Green Belt and its purposes have been assessed in detail.

“It is considered the harm caused to the Green Belt’s openness is outweighed by the delivery of housing and lack of conflict with the purposes of the Green Belt, leading to a recommendation to approve.”

Part of the land is already owned by Bolton Council, but objections have been received objections from 11 households in the area.

The field is currently used for grazing horses (Image: Newsquest)

Concerns they raised ranged from loss of greenspace and wildlife and the impact on highways to a “loss of heritage” and the strain on nearby public services.

Some of the objections also expressed concerns about the loss of views and the potential noise impact during the development work.

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Bolton Council’s planning committee had originally been intending to make a decision on whether or not to approve the plans last March but delayed the vote after deciding that they were need to here more about how community services and infrastructure could be effected.

They also wanted to make time to hear from Transport for Greater Manchester on the effect on the potential Metrolink.

The council statement said: “A representative of the Highway Authority will be attending the committee meeting to answer any questions.

“A plan will also be available to Committee showing land ownership across the site.”

The vote is set to take place next week on Thursday June 15