Morris Homes wins Green Belt appeal in Bolton

Plans for 112 homes on 11 acres north of Radcliffe Road have been given the green light by the Planning Inspectorate.

The vast majority of the apartments, townhouses, and houses proposed by Morris Homes sit outside designated Green Belt – but eight are technically within the border. The project’s access points, pumping station, attenuation points, and open space provision are also on Green Belt.

This was the prime reason that Bolton Council refused the application in June last year, with councillors also protesting the lack of any affordable housing provision. Despite affordable housing being a prominent discussion point during the planning committee meeting, it was not listed as one of the reasons for refusal in the end. The rejection of the application was against officer recommendation.

On the Green Belt point, the planning inspector noted that the land was clearly previously developed. One of the justifications for development on Green Belt is if it is on previously developed sites and if it does not impact the openness of the area.

The inspector ruled that it would not negatively impact the openness and, because the land was previously developed, it would not be inappropriate development on Green Belt.

Morris Homes’ plans call for the building of eight one-, 62 three, and 42 four-bedroom homes. The project team includes Emery Planning, Mode, Ascerta, and Barnes Walker.

You can learn more about the application by searching application reference number 12387/21 on Bolton Council’s planning portal. The appeal documents can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website reference APP/N4205/W/23/3328477.