A BUILDER has been refused permission to erect a two metre-high boundary wall around his Westhoughton home.

After starting to build the wall Mr Ian Holden will now have knock it down.

Mr Holden was told by planning chiefs that the wall would make Old Hall Lane, Dobb Brow, too "claustrophobic".

Councillor Norman Critchley said: "It feels very claustrophobic on the lane as it is. It would be even worse if the wall was built."

Councillor David Wilkinson said the wall would detract from the semi-rural aspect of the area.