Residents object to final plans for 276-home estate at Horwich Golf Course

Dozens of objections have been lodged to final plans for a controversial 276-home estate on a golf course.

Northstone Development Ltd, part of the Peel group, had seen their plans for Horwich Golf Club, off Victoria Avenue, unanimously rejected by Bolton Council’s planning committee.

However, following a public inquiry last year, a government planning inspector allowed the scheme, which had been opposed by the Stocks Residents’ Association, local councillors and many others living in the area.

With the principle of development for up to 276 homes in place, a further planning application for the layout, appearance and landscaping of the estate is to be considered by councillors next week.

Northstone have put forward detailed plans for the first two phases of the three-phase development, comprising 208 homes on the former nine-hole golf course.

Phase 1 occupies the south western half of the 16 hectare application site and will have 179 properties.

Phase 2 is at the north eastern quarter of the site and would comprise 29 dwellings.

A planning report on the application, stated: “Owing to the challenging topography of the site, the applicant is proposing a layout along a south east to north west axis, which would create a tiered built form that steps up the site incrementally.

“The majority of the houses in Phase 1 would be sited around an internal shared-surfaced ‘loop’ road and the short shared-surfaced cul-de-sacs off this.

“A green landscaped corridor, focused around the existing water channel, is proposed through the centre, with the existing woodland along the north eastern and south western boundaries being enhanced through additional tree planting and removal of invasive species.

“The proposed development would deliver a mix of one, two, three and 4+ bedroom dwellings.”

The report said 71 of the 208 properties are to be affordable homes.

Of those, 16 are to be one bed, 15 are two-bed, 29 are to be three-bed and 11 are to be four-bed properties.

Planning officers have recommended approval of the scheme.

Some 42 objections have been received, including from Stocks Residents’ Association, which raise concerns including ‘trees are not being retained along the boundaries as previously promised’ and ‘the proposed house types do not reflect the local character’.

Other comments on the design are that ‘the development is too cramped and many houses have insufficient rear gardens’ that ‘green connectivity as promised is not evident’ and ‘disruption to neighbours during construction’.

Other objections included ‘Increase in danger of flooding’ and ‘the area witnessed flooding in 2021. The area is prone to flooding’.

Three letters of support were also received.

The report said Horwich Town Council raised no objection to the application at their meeting of May 19.

Coun Richard Silvester has objected to the application.

He said: “Bolton Council has refused two applications for the site, and although a Government inspector overturned both refusals, the council should maintain its resolve and belief that it is wrong for any development to take place on the site.”