Plans to build a housing estate close to ancient woodland have been thrown out. Members of Bolton’s planning committee heard that building on ‘protected open land’ near Longsight Lane, in Harwood, Bolton would be an ‘ecological disaster’.
More than 330 people and the Woodland Trust objected to the 20-home development, close to protected ancient trees. Bolton Council’s planning team recommended approval of the proposals and disputed the classification of the trees, saying they would be protected alongside the development anyway.
The planning team said the applicant ‘had resolved every objection put forward by the council’s tree officer’. Of the 20 homes, seven were classed in the application as ‘affordable’.
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Coun Les Webb, who represents the Bradshaw ward, said: “If this committee approves these proposals it is a potential ecological disaster. “We should continue with our brownfield policy first.
“There has been widespread condemnation and anger across the borough to this controversial development. This application has been hanging over the community like the sword of Damocles for getting on two years.
“There is a collective feeling the planning process is against residents and for developers with their ability to make multiple submissions and adjustments. “This piece of land is unique, it has a site of biological importance on one side, existing houses on another and the two other sides are green belt.”
The committee heard about aspirations to create a country park in the area with an ‘unbroken green corridor’ including the application site. Coun Jackie Schofield said the green area supported health and well-being for residents.
She said: “The area is invaluable – we have to keep these spaces, not for ourselves but for future generations.” Objector Chris Nash, said: “We ask you to reject this application on two grounds, the loss and damage to irreplaceable habitat and the overall planning balance is against the application.
“There are 13 veteran trees affected by this application, two will be lost and 11 affected. Andrew Thompson, spoke in support of the plans, submitted by Mr P Mosscrop.
He said the applicant had been involved with the land for around three years and 34 amendments had been made to the original plans to accommodate objections. He said: “This is great scheme which not only delivers affordable homes but also secure the long term management of the area which if left in its existing state could become an unused wasteland overgrown with invasive species like Japanese knotweed.
“It will safeguard habitat for wildlife and provide biodiversity net gain.” Chair of the committee, Coun John Walsh said there was ‘a serious concern’ about the size of the affordable homes included in the plans.
The committee rejected the plans with several objectors to the scheme in attendance applauding after the vote was recorded.
