A fresh attempt has been made to build a property on green belt land in Bromley Cross.

The Rigby Group launched plans to build the three floor property on Scholars Rise, Eagley, behind the Spread Eagle pub.

But plans were rejected in September last year by the planning committee of Bolton Council.

At that time a petition opposing the move was presented to the local authority which 500 people had signed.

The official reasons given for the rejection of the plan included “inappropriate development in the green belt as well as “loss of an amenity greenspace valuable to neighbours” that it would “not enhance the site within the Eagley Bank Conservation Area.”

Developers had launched a previous bigger plan to build two homes on the spot in 2021.

Read more: What could happen to town's M&S building

Read more: Community centre to reopen with 'movement soon' on bowling club

Read more: Latest planning applications for Bolton

As well as being in a conservation area the spot in question is close to four Grade-II listed buildings, the Old Eagley Bridge School House, Bridge Mill, Brook Mill and Valley Mill.

Developers claimed it was overgrown and used illegally as an extension to the gardens in the area and for fly tipping.

They said in their application it was compliant with green belt rules, and should be approved either way due to the unique circumstances.

They said: “The development of this site for one dwelling constitutes limited infilling within a village in accordance with national Green Belt policy, if however, a contrary view is taken by the local planning authority, it is considered that the impact of the development by inappropriateness and harm to openness will be limited and outweighed by the existence of very special circumstances.”

However the planning authority disagreed with this and rejected the plans in September.

But now the developers have launched an appeal against the rejection.

The planning inspectorate has confirmed receipt of the appeal and have confirmed that it is valid.