A bid to build an agricultural building was given the green light by the Planning Inspectorate as it overturned a decision by the council.

The scheme for the two-hectare site at the rear of Newgate Cottages, near Over Hulton, was blocked around a year ago by the authority.

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The bid to build an agricultural building off Plodder Lane was blocked on the basis of concern over its impact on the green belt, as well as concern over its impact on a species of crested newt known as the 'warty newt'.

But the applicant appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, which overturned the decision by the council in a ruling published on March 30.

The inspector, Hannah Ellison, who went to the site, said the building's impact on the green belt was acceptable in light of its agricultural use, while the building's impact on the 'warty newt' was negligible after a survey showed the site was of 'low overall terrestrial value'.

The ruling published on March 30 reads: "The National Planning Policy Framework makes it clear that inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the green belt and should not be approved except in special circumstances. It advises that the construction of buildings should be regarded as inappropriate development in the green belt subject to a number of exceptions, one of which is buildings for agriculture and forestry.

It adds: "The proposal would consist of the construction of a new building clearly for the purposes of agriculture thus it would not be inappropriate development in the green belt, with it being within the exception stated."

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Once constructed, the new building is intended to house livestock consisting of cattle and sheep in winter, and to store fodder and equipment at other times of the year.

An application to award costs to the applicant, David Peters, was refused by Ms Ellison who said the council did not act 'unreasonably'.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.