Morris Homes appeals Bolton resi refusal
The local authority rejected the housebuilder’s 112-home development in June on the grounds that it represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt.
Morris Homes has launched an appeal to contest Bolton Council’s refusal of its application to deliver a mix of apartments, townhouses, detached, and semi-detached properties off Radcliffe Road.
The local authority rejected the application against officer recommendations for the reason that the benefits of the scheme do not outweigh the harm caused to the purpose and openness of the Green Belt.
Currently used as caravan storage, most of the 11-acre site has been previously developed. However, part of the plot used for grazing horses is undeveloped Green Belt and would be used to deliver eight homes.
Any perceived reduction in the visual openness of the Green Belt will be “limited and localised” due to the site’s “low visual prominence and the presence of existing built form and hardstanding”, according to an appeal statement submitted by Barnes Walker.
The application was originally considered by Bolton Council’s planning committee in March and was deferred to allow further investigation into traffic concerns and the development’s impact on the future creation of a Bolton to Bury tram link.
In June, officers had recommended that the committee approve the plans with the Highway Authority raising no objections to the proposals. A Bury tram link is also not identified within the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 or the Five-Year Transport Delivery Plan, however councillors were not persuaded.
The project
Proposals for the site feature eight one-, 62 three-, and 42 four-bedroom homes, none of which were designated to be affordable.
Two access points were also planned to have been created off Radcliffe Road.
Emery Planning is advising Morris Homes on its proposals for the scheme. The project team also includes landscape architect Barnes Walker, transport consultant Mode, and arboricultural consultant Ascerta.
To find out more about the plans for the site, search for application number 12387/21 on Bolton Council’s planning portal.
The appeal’s reference number with the Planning Inspectorate is APP/N4205/W/23/3328477.
