Campaigners are tonight celebrating after plans to build a housing estate on land in Harwood were thrown out. Plans were submitted to build 20 houses on land categorised as "Other Protected Open Land" on Longsight Road. The plans were recommended for approval - but planning bosses this afternoon rejected the application proposed to the south and east Of Meadowcroft Longsight Lane Harwood More than 300 letters objecting to the development were sent in, including from the Friends of Lonsight Park with concerns raised about loss of open/green/recreation space, effect on wildlife/habitats, and loss of trees/veteran trees.
The Woodland Trust also objected as did Bolton Ramblers. Chris Nash addressed the council as an objector to the application. He said that "veteran trees would be affected by the application” and of these, two trees would be killed completely, having a detrimental affect on the surrounding landscape and biodiversity.
He added that Longsight Park is currently home to over 310 species of birds and mammals including deer, foxes, bats, mice, rabbits and pheasants. It also homes rare fauna. Issues arose as to whether the houses would be legally able to accommodate more than three people due to their size, a regulation that would be difficult to properly enforce if the properties were to be built.
Speaking to The Bolton News, Jane Wilcox said: “Today Bolton Council have stood up for tackling climate change. “I’m delighted at Bolton Council’s support for recov.
