Plan for homes next to Bolton Rugby Club up for approval

Bolton At Home submitted its proposal for the land off Avenue Street, Halliwell, on June 24 this year.

As the council is the landowner, the plan for more than 40 "affordable" homes – a combination of flats for rent and houses for sale – is set to be considered by its planning committee this week.

The planning committee is recommended to approve the proposal when it meets at the town hall on December 8.

An illustration of the plan (Image: Bolton At Home)

The application reads: "The site comprises of grass and woodland and is bordered to the north and the east by residential properties. 

"To the south there is a field which is associated with Bolton Rugby Club. To the west are two reservoirs and associated overflows.

"The site is less than two kilometres from the town centre and can be accessed via Chorley Old Road.

"The overall area is 22,980 square metres and is currently unused public open space (mix of grass and woodland) with signs of neglect and fly-tipping, remnants of a previously decommissioned playground and a footpath which crosses the site."

The homes are broken down into 16 one-bedroom flats and 28 two-to-four-bedroom houses. All these are two storeys, other than an apartment block containing most of the flats.

Their construction involves the loss of a significant amount of woodland next to Bolton Rugby Club, although Bolton At Home intends to replace it with more of the same in the open space to remain.

A number of residents commented on a consultation and expressed a range of concerns from the appearance and character of the homes themselves to the impact on issues such as parking and traffic.

But a report to the planning committee recommended to approve the proposal.

It reads: "The proposal complies overall with the development plan and therefore it is recommended for approval."

The planning committee meets at the town hall on December 8.