A scheme to demolish a farmhouse and barn and replace them with a house has been approved despite concerns about building on the green belt.
The plan will see the new house built on land at Markland Farm on Grimeford Lane in Blackrod.
But this was brought in for debate at Bolton Town Hall after Cllr David Grant, of Horwich South and Blackrod, raised concerns about the size of the proposed new building.
He said: “The building is significantly larger than the original.”
Cllr Grant pointed out that trees would have to be cut down to allow an access path and said he did not believed there were any special circumstances to justify building on the green belt.
Two letters of objection had also been sent in from people living nearby who raised concerns including the loss of privacy and the design not being in keeping with the area.
The plans will see a “large detached dwelling” built on the former site of the farmhouse and barn, according to a plan put before the council.
The report also said that the existing buildings were in poor condition and offered only “limited architectural and historic merit.”
It said: “The existing farmhouse is a modest stone built two storey building dating from the late nineteenth century with central entrance door with attached red brick store.
“The rear of the building has been overpainted and altered and is in poor condition.
"To the south of the dwelling is a large stone barn dating from the 1980s.
“The cluster of buildings are a mix of a styles and do not form a coherent grouping.”
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Other members of the committee agreed that the old farmhouse was in a “very old, very poor” condition but agreed that they had some concerns about the loss of trees.
But the report said that landscaping and tree planting were also included in the overall plans.
Cllr Andy Morgan, of Heaton, Lostock and Chew Moor, said: “My main concern is the trees, but I’m accepting that the conditions here cover that.”
He added: “So I’m not sure on what grounds we can oppose it.”
A majority of members voted to delegate the plans to Bolton Council’s director of place for approval.
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