A dormer and loft conversion will not be built on a house after the Planning Inspectorate ruled against it. 

In March this year, applicant Lucy McMahon applied to Bolton Council for planning permission to undertake the works at a property on Forest Drive in Westhoughton. 

The plans proposed the building of a side dormer and a loft conversion, with associated alterations. 

The dormer would have been over eight metres wide and two and a half metres high. 

But planning officers at Bolton Council recommended that the plans be refused due to the impact on the surrounding area. 

A report prepared by officers stated: "The dormer represents a significant change in the built character of the area and does not respect the character and identity of the locality in terms of design, siting, and scale, particularly since similarly sized flat roofed dormers are absent in the immediate vicinity. 

“The proposed side dormer would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the existing property and surrounding area and is therefore considered to be unacceptable.”

Letters were also received raising concerns about the proposals, citing issues such as the “overly dominant effect on neighbours” and that it was “overlooking and visually intrusive” as well as an “overdevelopment.” 

The application was denied in May this year. 

In July this year, the applicant appealed to the Planning Inspectorate about the council's decision. 

Now, the agency has dismissed the appeal. 

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The report says: "It is considered that the main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the host property and the surrounding area." 

"The proposed development includes the erection of an extension in the form of a dormer within the roofslope of the property.

"By reason of the orientation and design of the property, the appeal scheme would be erected within the side elevation which is visually prominent along Forest Drive from the west above the front garden of (adjoining property). 

"The scale of the proposed development would exceed the guidance in the council’s House Extensions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which refers to dormers not occupying more than one quarter of a roof plane." 

The report adds: "In this case, the proposed extension would substantially occupy the roofslope with limited setting back from the ridge, eaves and sides of the roof.

"The scale and bulk of the appeal scheme would result in the appearance of a third storey which would be accentuated by the single opening with an expanse of boarding or tiles, as now suggested by the appellant. 

"The proposed roof extension would represent a conspicuous and incongruous addition to the property and it would significantly detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding residential development. 

"For the reasons given, it is concluded that the proposed development would cause unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the host property and the surrounding area."