Fresh scheme to build houses off Grizedale Close, Smithills

If put forward and approved, this will see 20 new homes built on the Somerville Bungalow site off Grizedale Close in Smithills.

This comes just over a year after inspectors ruled out a plan for a four-storey block of 35 flats with eight houses on the same site that had twice been refused by Bolton Council.

Cllr Roger Hayes, of Smithills, said: “I think there will be quite a strong reaction, it would be very wrong of me to comment before I’ve seen the plans myself but I’m not surprised that another plan has gone in for it.

“So now I’ll have to see the plan and of course consult with residents.”

The land is found off Grizedale Close, Smithills (Image: Wiggett Group)

He added: “Obviously well have to look at it and look at all the balancing factors for the area itself and for the town as a whole.”

The previous plan, lodged by Watson Homes, had finally reached the end of the road after being rejected by the UK Planning Inspectorate in January 2023.

A range of different homes have been proposed (Image: Wiggett Group)

At the time, campaigners had raised concerns about the effects on wildlife and the loss of the area’s distinctive character.

But developers Wiggett Homes Ltd, behind the new scheme, hope to test the views of people living nearby by launching a public consultation into the proposals.

The company says the homes could be ideal for growing families (Image: Wiggett Group)

Their proposal will see 20 new homes built on the site, including a range of three- and four-bedroom houses,with access off Grizedale Close, Bolton. 

The developer says the build is “ideal for growing families.”

A Wiggett Homes statement said: “There is an urgent need for sites such as this to come forward for development to help address the significant housing shortage in the Bolton area.

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“The development will provide local employment and job creation opportunities.

“We are keen that local contractors work on the site, ensuring a high amount of local expenditure, which should benefit the whole area.”

Letters are now being sent to homes in the area giving people the chance to see some of the plans for themselves and to fill in feedback forms.

Wiggett Homes says that the consultation period will be open between April 25 and May 24 this year and that they hope to submit full plans to Bolton Council after considering feedback.