Grundy Fold saga rolls on as mansion approved on appeal

The application for the former farm between Bolton and Horwich, where five mansions were demolished last year due to a breach of planning permission, was refused by the council around a year ago.

Alison Thompson and Peter Thompson, the owners of Plot Five where the farmhouse once stood, submitted a plan for a five-bedroom home before the demolition. 

They appealed after it was refused by the council due to its impact on the Green Belt.

READ MORE: Bolton: Cost of work at The Wellsprings more than £10m.

A Government inspector, named in a report released last week as L Wilson, agreed with the Planning Committee on some issues. However the plan was approved on appeal.

This is because there were 'special circumstances' to outweigh the impact on the Green Belt, in particular the original planning permission from 2014 and the 'anxiety' and 'stress' caused to the Thompsons.

Grundy Fold Farm last year (Image: Henry Lisowski)

The report released on April 20 reads: "The proposed development is for a dwelling in the same location and smaller to the scheme granted consent by the council in 2014. 

"The proposed development would not have a greater impact on the Green Belt than the scheme granted consent."

READ MORE: Plan for Moor Lane at risk unless council accepts £500k less.

It adds: "The appellants have not benefited from the unauthorised development, and understandably, it has caused anxiety and stress and it has undermined their health and well-being through no fault of their own. It has also resulted in substantial costs and delays for the appellants. I also understand that there has been significant exposure in national press and local press. 

"Dismissing the appeal would not result in them becoming homeless. Nonetheless, it would result in further uncertainty for the appellants, and their son, which would cause further anxiety and stress, and further undermine their well-being."

The original planning permission for Grundy Fold was approved almost 10 years ago but developer Sparkle Developments built the five mansions to a different design and in a different location to what was approved. The Thompsons won damages from Sparkle Developments after a battle before a High Court judge last year.

A plan in relation to another plot was approved last year with construction understood to be underway already.

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