Concerns have been raised after developers revealed a ‘vision’ to build 500 homes on Green Belt land.
In a ‘Vision Document’ on behalf of Barratt David Wilson and Jones Homes it sets out its interest in building the homes to the west of Belmont Road, Horrocks Fold, Bolton.
Cllr John Walsh – who represents Astley Bridge – says this is “totally unacceptable” given that a large development was previously removed from the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) plans to build 1,200 homes on Belmont Road.
It is now known as Places For Everyone.
He said: “The residents of Astley Bridge made it clear their opposition to the development when it was proposed in the GMSF.
“When the GMSF was proposed there was huge support from residents for the campaign by ward councillors against proposals to develop land to the east and west of Belmont Road.
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“A submission to the public hearing by representatives of developers for 500 new dwellings on of the two sites – land to the west of Belmont Road at Horrocks Fold are totally unacceptable.
“We are committed to protecting Green Belt land.”
The ‘vision’ states that the development could help tackle the housing needs for Bolton over the next 15 years.
It reads: “It is very likely that there will be a need to identify additional land for future housing in Bolton.
“The council is currently unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of land for housing with current focus heavily reliant on previously developed sites in the urban area.
“Notwithstanding the existing brownfield land and sites within urban area, there is a clear need for a broader mix of housing sites.”
The document states that the development is in a sustainable location ‘with good access to local facilities and services’, and with a variety of housing that would be affordable.
It also says that the existing landscape features would be protected.
The document reads: “The Council may be looking towards further brownfield locations to meet its housing needs.
“However, given the extent and range of likely unmet housing need in Bolton, together with the complexity and unpredictability of delivering brownfield sites, there will remain a need for the release of land from greenfield and Green Belt locations in Bolton to ensure the delivery of new housing to support sustainable communities.”
Executive Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning Cllr Toby Hewitt said: “These areas are adopted Green Belt and have strict local and national planning policy protections.
“No Green Belt applications for housing have been supported through the Places For Everyone process, by this administration and the council.
“And assuming that the Places For Everyone Plan is adopted, sites such as off Belmont Road will remain Green Belt and protected from housing development.”
A formal planning application has not yet been submitted and would be subject to the land being released from Green Belt.
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