Planning war erupts as two housing developers set to have permission to build 100-plus homes at same site

A housebuilder has objected to plans by a second developer to build 133 homes on a site where it already has permission to construct more than a hundred houses. Westchurch Homes Ltd are set to hear this week whether they will receive permission to construct 133 affordable homes at land currently used for caravan storage and horse grazing off Radcliffe Road, Darcy Lever, Bolton.

However, planning permission was recently granted on appeal for 112 dwellings on the same site, in a scheme brought forward by Morris Homes North Ltd. Documents published ahead of a planning committee meeting to decide on the Westchurch plans, reveal that Morris have launched an objection.

The report states that Morris claim the Westchurch application should not have been validated because Morris ‘as owner of part of the site has not been formally notified’. Morris also claim that the Westchurch application ‘relies on reports commissioned by Morris Homes’.

The Morris Homes objection, adds: “The ecology report and biodiversity net gain is inadequate and incorrect and the ground Investigation is incomplete. “The proposal should be subject of a sequential test due to the potential for flooding.”

Responding to the Morris objection, planning officers said ‘no evidence has been provided that Morris Homes owned part of the site when the application was submitted’. They added: “Reliance on others’ reports is a private matter. “Land ownership is not a planning matter and whilst the objection about lack of comprehensive delivery is noted, it is possible a deal will be struck between the landowners to implement either scheme.

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“There is no missing information at this time and it is considered a decision can be lawfully made. “The site is not at risk of river flooding and the vast majority of it does not pose a risk of surface water flooding.”

The Westchurch Homes Ltd plans on the table this week are for a collaboration between them and an as yet unknown registered provider (RP), who will own and manage the properties. The report, said: “Affordable tenures are to be confirmed following agreement being reached with a local RP. “Allocation of any rented units will be in accordance with a nomination agreement between the RP and Bolton Council.”

If approved, the buildings will be mainly two storey with some 2.5 storey and a mix of apartments, detached, semi-detached and terraced properties of one, two, three and four-bed homes.

Neither Westchurch Homes or Morris Homes responded to a request for comment. Bolton’s planning committee is set to decide on the Westchurch plans at a meeting on October 3.