Horwich: Fresh plan to build house over Hilltop Stables

The plan will see a new build home created at Hilltop Stables on Georges Lane in Horwich, with space made by demolishing existing stables.

But a similar proposal was thrown out only earlier this year and Cllr Richard Silvester, Bolton Council cabinet member for the environment, says he is just as concerned about the new plans as well.

He said: “None of the above refusal reasons have changed.

“This planning application is very similar to the previous planning application.

An artist's 3-D impression of the new house (Image: Architecture Unknown)

“The present planning application is still in the green belt and it would still cause harm to the green belt and there are no very special circumstances to outweigh the harm caused to the green belt because of this proposal and the proposal would still lead to a clear contrast in the character and appearance of the area on that side of Georges Lane to its detriment.

“This proposal being contrary to the same planning policy reasons as per the refusal of the previous planning application.”

Cllr Silvester had previously spoken about how residents had been alarmed about the idea when the previous plan was lodged and warned that developers would meet “the same resistance” if further proposals along the same lines were made.

He has now announced that he is objecting to the latest plans in his capacity as a Bolton councillor and as cabinet member for environmental services, a role which includes overseeing green belt policies.

The Bolton Ramblers have also lodged their opposition to the plan, which they say represents “unacceptable development in the green belt".

A statement said: “It would be the first house built on the south westerly side of Georges Lane which is a lane enjoyed by many walkers and cyclists with its open views to the south.

“We are also concerned about the property, this is a small, one-bedroomed property on a very large plot of land with plenty of space for further development.

“It feels as though this is phase one of a bigger property with extra rooms possibly added using permitted development without requiring planning approval.

"If this is the case this would be of significant concern to us.”

But the developers have said that the nearby context has been taken into account.

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A design and access statement by Architecture Unknown said: “We consider that the proposed development would not cause harm to the openness of the green belt, and does not detrimentally harm the character and appearance of the surroundings.

“In fact, we recognise and celebrate the agricultural heritage of the greenbelt setting and have responded to this context through the design.

“We have specifically drawn our influences from agrarian architecture and the local landscape that shapes the historic relationship between buildings and the site both in the past and today.”

The council will aim to decide whether or not to approve the plans by Friday, December 8 this year.