The sheep grazing field now home to 15 giant inflatables

Chris Gee
·2-min read

A summer family attraction with 15 different giant inflatables on farm field is the subject of a retrospective planning application. Open Air Bounce, based at Umbertons Farm, Salford Road, Bolton has field full of inflatable bouncy castles, slides, obstacles and assault courses.

An application for temporary planning permission during the summer months was published by Bolton Council on Friday, June 14. The park is already in operation.

Applicant and owner of the land, Darren Mills said Open Air Bounce aims to provide ‘a vibrant and engaging recreational space for children within the community, encouraging outdoor activities and social interaction during the summer months’. The application said opening times for the inflatable park would be restricted to the period April until September between 11am-5pm and the time period applied for is until 2029.

In March this year, Umbertons Farm was also granted planning permission convert land at the site to a commercial fishery with 146 fishing pegs and 80 car parking spaces. A design and access statement in support of the plans, said: “Open Air Bounce offers a safe environment where people can visit with their children to get some much-needed fresh air, engage with others and simply enjoy themselves, with the variety of activities and refreshments on offer.

“The application site consists of a parcel of land within the applicant’s ownership currently designated as agricultural land. “The grassed field forms part of a larger field for sheep farming.

“During operation the field is segregated enabling the erection of ‘Open Air Bounce’ and its associated car parking, with the sheep using the remaining area of the field. “In the autumn and winter months, when ‘Open Air Bounce’ is dismantled and taken off site, the temporary boundary is removed and the field is opened up to its former size, comprising of one large open field, fully utilised by the sheep.”

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To application states that there is also a portable sand pit, food kiosks and 49 picnic tables at the site. The park would have a maximum capacity of 499 with fully trained staff and first aid on site.

The application also states that the park will run sessions for children and families with special needs (SEND) in partnership with the special needs foundation ‘Sensability’ and that car parking is provided on-site ‘ensuring no traffic disruption on the A6’.

Planners at Bolton Council will consider the application in the coming weeks.

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