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Neighbours are furious after four houses were built differently from the plans submitted in a situation that’s been compared to the Grundy Fold Farm development. In 2017 an application to build four houses on the site of a former Victorian mansion on Clarebank in Heaton was granted. However, the developers made alterations to the houses when they were constructed, increasing heights, changing locations – and one building was built the other way round.
A basement level was also added to one house, which was not in the original plans. As the houses have already been built, the developer was applying for retrospective permission which was put to the planning committee on Thursday, April 10. Cllr Anne Galloway, who brought the application to the committee, said: “I imagine just a quick reading of these Clarebank applications show what a torturous saga this development of four houses has proved to be.
“As we saw with the more egregious example set at Grundy Fold Farm, the applicant didn’t keep to the original planning permissions granted in 2017. “The houses are in slightly different positions, have enlarged their footprint with rear extensions and raised their – already considerable height – by nearly another metre. “There has been a significant loss of protected trees which is being prosecuted in an enforcement action.
” Each of the buildings was moved slightly from plans when built (original positions shown by red lines) (Image: Bolton Council) Cllr David Wilkinson called the situation “a long tale of woe” adding “I think that’s the polite version of it”. He said: “I am amazed that we’ve ended up in this kind of situation. “We’ve got a basement – not on the plans! “We’ve got a house – completely the wrong way around! “It was quite obvious from day dot – when all these things started happening – that this ain’t a developer who’s playing ball.
“Personally I’d do what we did at Grundy’s Farm – thanks very much, but knock ‘em down.” Features were moved or mirrored from submitted plans (Image: Bolton Council) Mrs Rachel Britton, a neighbour who spoke against the application, said that the development had been an “ongoing major disturbance” since breaking ground in 2015. She said: “We aren’t NIMBYs but we want developers to abide by planning permissions.
“A line should be drawn that developers and architects cannot cross.” She said that one of the houses – which had been built mirrored from the original plans – now overlooked a neighbouring estate instead of facing a wall. Adding to this – a large three story window was used instead of the three separate windows in the original plans.
Features were moved or mirrored from submitted plans (Image: Bolton Council) Cllr Martyn Cox said that he didn’t he didn’t think it was “quite a Grundy Fold farm situation” but said that the developers “have acted egregiously”. He said: “They have broken every rule right the way through this – they’ve not built what they said they would build. “Quite frankly I don’t know why they’ve bothered to ask for permission if they’re going to change it in such a significant way.
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uk Cllr Cox said that the application should be refused, instead of simply deferred, to send a message to the developers that this is “not acceptable”. He said: “This committee should send a clear message that what they’ve done is not acceptable and until they come forward with plans that are – at this point permission is refused.” Cllr Robert Morrisey called it “one of the most major breaches of planning ” and called the changes “egregious”.
He argued the committee should defer the application in case the developer won an appeal against their decision. READ MORE: Blackrod 'monstrosity' house construction frustrates locals READ MORE: Bolton Council refuse house extension to care for elderly father READ MORE: Marks and Spencer plans discussed as part of Crompton Place plans Grundy Fold Farm : Partially built mansions razed to the ground Cllr Cox said: “I think it’s astonishing they’ve not turned up today to explain to us what they’ve done and why they’ve done it. “I think that is a clear acknowledgement that they do not want to engage with us and they will not engage with us at any level.
“There’s an issue of credibility – I think if we’re to retain our credibility as a committee and give some of our residents confidence. “I do think on the balance of things we should say to them – this is not acceptable – and we should refuse this.” The planning committee voted against deferring the application before it was rejected unanimously.
The developer can now appeal the council's decision to the Planning Inspectorate or submit different plans. The Grundy Fold Farm developmenth between Bolton and Horwich was witness to a 10-year planning war after developers built a number of luxury mansions to a different design than what was submitted. The council ordered the demolition of all five houses.
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