A GOLF course extension plan has been thrown out by councillors following claims that it would cost a Bolton farmer his livelihood.

Emotions ran high in a packed planning meeting at Bolton Town Hall as councillors discussed an application from Breightmet Golf Club to extend a golf course on land fronting Arthur Lane.

It is used by farmer Arnold Davenport to graze sheep and make hay.

Several councillors said that if the 1.2 hectare field which directly backs on to Mr Davenport's farm -- Nab Gate Farm in Harwood -- became part of a Golf Course, the farmer would be "finished".

Cllr Norman Critchley said: "I think this should be refused. We need to have bit of compassion. This guy has spent his life tending that piece of land. How does it affect the viability of the golf course to have this small area of land? If this goes ahead this guy is finished."

The National Farmers Union supported Mr Davenport and wrote to the council saying the land in question is occupied by 46 mixed-breed lamb ewes and is used for grazing in winter and hay production in the summer.

Mr Davenport said that the extension would fragment his holdings and block access to other fields.

Cllr Diana Brierley said 1,500 local residents had signed a petition objecting to the proposals and added that the farm had existed for hundreds of years and was an important part of Bolton's heritage.

Planning officers had recommended the application be approved as they considered the loss of the field would be unlikely to further isolate the farm or preclude the use of the farmer's other holdings to such an extent as to justify refusal.

The meeting heard that the golf club was willing to allow the farmer to go over their proposed new site to get his other holdings.

Mr Davenport is still involved in a legal fight with the owner of the farm who wants to evict him.