A plan for 112 homes in Darcy Lever is allowed go ahead after all after it was given the green light by the Planning Inspectorate.

The applicant, Morris Homes, applied for planning permission for land to the north of Radcliffe Road two and a half years ago.

Its plan for 112 homes, a mix of one- to four-bed apartments and houses, was blocked by Bolton Council on the basis of its impact on a small section of Green Belt in the summer of last year.

Another applicant, Westchurch Homes, applied for planning permission for a similar site at the start of this year saying its plan for almost 140 homes, all of them "affordable", was more suitable.

However Morris Homes appealed and, this week, they were given the green light by a Planning Inspector identified as S Dean. Morris Homes told The Bolton News they want to start work 'as soon as possible'.

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The Planning Inspector said: "There is no disagreement the part of the site within the Green Belt is Previously Developed Land (PDL). It comprises a mixture of hardstanding which is used for storage and several single storey buildings, it is enclosed, and it is different in appearance and character to the fields around it.

"The proposal may not be inappropriate subject to consideration of its effects on openness and the purposes of including land within the Green Belt."

The Bolton News: Morris Homes' plan for 112 homes

They said the impact on openness and the purposes of including land within the Green Belt was no more significant than the existing development.

A Morris Homes spokesperson told The Bolton News they were aiming to bring about the start of the housing development "as soon as possible".

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The Morris Homes spokesperson said: "We are pleased our application for this high-quality development of much-needed, energy-efficient homes for the area was granted by the Planning Inspectorate. 

"We will now work with the landowners to bring about the start of the development as soon as possible."

The application by Westchurch Homes is under consideration and the deadline for a decision is July 18.

The Bolton News asked Westchurch Homes for a comment.

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