Westhoughton Town Council has unanimously refused a planning application that would see as many as 310 new homes built on green belt land at Marsh Brook, the council confirmed this week.
Why councillors rejected the scheme
Full plans were submitted on 16 July for development on the site between Westhoughton and Hindley. Town councillors raised a series of objections during their meeting, arguing the scheme would harm the local environment and community infrastructure.
"This planning application is totally unacceptable for a number of reasons. One, the traffic related problems, a loss of green belt, plants and trees, impact on the Marsh Brook Stream Valley, impact on doctors and schools, among other things,"
The comments above were made by Cllr David Wilkinson as part of the council's formal response. He also warned the proposals could affect neighbouring properties and roads, and said some existing buildings might need to be demolished to allow the development to proceed.
Developer argument and planning status
In supporting documents submitted with the application, the developer contends the parcel should be classified as "grey belt" rather than green belt. Under that classification — which the planning statement argues applies to this land — housing development can be acceptable if it meets specified criteria.
The planning statement acknowledges some adverse effects, saying the scheme would cause "some harm to the openness of the Green Belt" and would lead to "limited adverse visual impacts" and loss of agricultural land. It goes on to assert the proposals would nonetheless deliver "much needed market and affordable housing" along with social, economic and environmental benefits, and that the circumstances for building in the Green Belt are present.
Local concerns and next steps
Town councillors, including Cllr David Chadwick, have publicly backed the unanimous vote to refuse the application. Central to the council's stance are concerns over:
- Traffic increases and pressure on local roads;
- Loss of green belt and impact on the Marsh Brook Stream Valley;
- Potential strain on local services, including GP surgeries and schools;
- Effects on nearby properties and the possibility of demolition to accommodate the scheme.
At this stage the application remains a live planning matter. If the applicant persists, the dispute over whether the land meets the tests for development in the green belt will be central to any decision by the local planning authority, which must weigh the claimed public benefits against the acknowledged harm to openness and landscape.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application submitted | 16 July |
| Proposed homes | Up to 310 |
| Location | Marsh Brook (between Westhoughton and Hindley) |
| Council position | Unanimous refusal by Westhoughton Town Council |
The debate underscores the ongoing tension across Bolton and Greater Manchester between meeting housing needs and protecting green spaces. Residents concerned about the proposal should follow updates from Bolton Council and the town council for details on planning committee meetings and opportunities to comment.
