AN applicant remains “hopeful” his proposals to build a zero-carbon house and forest school in the greenbelt will get the thumbs-up from planners.

David Norris has put forward proposals for the eco-friendly dwelling, as well as an outdoor learning centre and lapwing conservation area, at Higher Critchley Fold Barn, in Egerton.

An officer’s report recommends members of Bolton Council’s planning committee refuse the application on the grounds it would be “inappropriate development” in the greenbelt.

It acknowledges the scheme is a “genuine effort to create a well-designed dwelling” with a “modern design with an individual architectural style”.

But the report says the dwelling does not qualify as a paragraph 55 house which allows for the building of “exceptional and innovative houses in open countryside”.

A detailed objection to the plan has also been received by Bolton Council.

However Mr Norris believes that councillors will see the proposals "in a different light" after they have visited the site visit prior to the meeting.

And he says the community would lose out if his application were to be turned down by planners.

He said: “There are a couple of key points – it will have massive community use, four of the eight acres will be an outdoor learning area for Egerton Community Primary School that’s at the front of the house.

“And to there’s 1.5 acres t the south of the site which is a lapwing conservation area that the Wildlife Trust is supporting.

“The rest of the site is used for grazing, so from an eight-acre site there’s very little development, it’s going to be protected forever more.”

A resident's objection to the scheme is on grounds the design is “out of character and will be a monstrosity on a significantly beautiful landscape”. It also claims “The proposal would be overbearing on neighbouring residential dwellings".

But there have also been three letters of support of the application, which say it will have a positive impact on the area and provide a "great opportunity to allow youngsters to engage with nature."

Mr Norris says the community should not miss out on the benefits his scheme would bring. He said: “The sad thing is they are in jeopardy of losing that outdoor learning centre, I don’t think that’s right for the community.

“This is going to be a community legacy forever more, not just five or ten years, but into perpetuity. I want to live there forever, I’m not just in it for development of commercial gain, a lot of passion has gone into it. It’s gone through a four-stage independent design review."