Planning bosses have rejected plans from a homeowner to convert a garage into a habitable room and to build a dormer at the front of the property.

The proposal had been made in respect of a semi-detached bungalow on Lichfield Close, Farnworth.

The plans would have led to it changing from a two-bedroom property to a four-bedroom one.

The applicants said the materials which would be used to transform the front elevation would match the rest of the property.

The garage door would have been replaced with a window.

They also said similar transformations had taken place nearby including on Colchester Drive and the conversion would not be “harmful to the character and appearance of the area.”

However total of 12 letters were sent from eight neighbours objecting to the proposals.

They said it would be “out of keeping with the character of the area” and the bungalows had “been standing a long time and all look the same along the street.”

Others said it would lead to "inadequate parking provision."
Planning officers at Bolton Council outlined that the proposal would lead to some benefits but said these did not outweigh the harms.

They said: “Once complete, the additional living accommodation would better suit the personal needs of the applicant and their family and improve their living conditions. However, these considerations do not outweigh the significant harm identified.

They added: "The public comments and concern in respect of the harm to the character and appearance of the area is noted." 

The planning team at Bolton Council outlined their reasons for refusing the plans.

A report said the proposal "would appear as an obtrusive and a discordant feature within the street and would materially harm the character and appearance of the host building and the local area.”