A planning appeal is underway after an application to turn stables into a house was rejected. 

The plans were entered in March this year for Hilltop Stables on George's Lane, Horwich, to be demolished and turned into a bungalow. 

It would have seen the development of the property, with two parking spaces, a "big" septic tank and space for tree planting. 

However, Bolton Council declined the application in June this year due to the development being "inappropriate" in its Green Belt surroundings. 

In its decision notice, the council said: "The proposed development by virtue of its design, use and creation of a domestic curtilage represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt and the applicant has provided no very special circumstances to outweigh the harm that would be caused to the openness of the Green Belt, contrary to Policy CG7AP of Bolton's Allocations Plan 2014, Policy JPG9 of the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document 2024 and Section 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Read more: 'Significant changes' in third bid to build house on green belt

Read more: New scheme to build house over green belt stables meets 'same resistance' 

Read more: Stables earmarked for demolition for home under plans for green belt land

"The proposed development by virtue of its siting and design, and the creation of a domestic curtilage, will have a detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the Wallsuches Conservation Area and the landscape character of the area and is contrary to Policies OA1 of Bolton's Core Strategy 2011 and Policies JP-P1 and JP-P2 of the Places for Everyone joint Development Document 2024." 

Now, applicant Emma Higgins has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate through her agent, Sophie Marshall. 

The appeal was started on October 16, with further statements and stages due over the course of November and into December. 

The appeal's status shows as being 'in progress' on the Planning Inspectorate's website. 

Two similar plans for the stables demolition and building of a house on the site were also thrown out this earlier year and in 2023. 

They were also thrown out on similar grounds.