The 20-property housing estate plan that could have been an ‘ecological disaster’

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