A decision is set to be made next week on plans for a four-storey block of flats which have prompted a wave of objections.
Watson Homes propose to build a block of 35 apartments and eight houses on a site on Grizedale Close in the Smithills area of Bolton.
The development would be completely made up of ‘affordable housing’ according to the developer.
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The application site currently contains the Somerville Bungalow and its extensive garden, a triangular parcel of land to the south and another bungalow on Grizedale Close.
Both bungalows would be demolished for the road access into the development.
Bolton Council, whose planning committee are set to decide on the plans on Thursday, November 11, have received more than 80 objections to the proposal from residents, as well as an objection from Chris Green MP.
An officer’s report to councillors said that although the four storey apartment building will be larger in height and scale than neighbouring properties, it is not thought to be ’to the detriment of the character and appearance of the area’.
The report also examined the loss of trees from the plans, saying: “The applicant has amended their plans a number of times, seeking to retain as many existing trees as possible on site.
“While there will still be considerable trees loss, these will be mainly lost from the centre of the site, with all but three peripheral trees within the protected woodland being retained along with the majority of ‘boundary’ trees.
“The majority of trees within the site are to be retained.”
The officer’s report, which recommends approval of the plans, said ‘given the distances the proposed houses and apartment building are away from neighbouring properties, it is not considered that it would unduly harm the amenity of neighbouring residents’.
The plans have received 81 objections.
Among the concerns were that ‘it will look completely out of place’ and ‘it is more fitting for an inner city area’.
Other objections included comments which said ‘rental properties are out of character’, ‘houses and gardens will be overlooked’ and ‘loss of trees from the site will further reduce privacy’.
There were also concerns about the ‘types’ of residents that would move in and ‘that young people will move into an area where the majority of residents are of pensionable age’.
A petition containing 647 signatures objecting to the scheme was also received.
Bolton West MP Chris Green said the apartment building would create a loss of privacy to neighbouring residents and mean the loss of local green space and felling of trees.
