Parking issue in new plans for coaching house

9:02am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

CHANGES to development plans for Smithills Coaching house have been welcomed by opponents — but concerns remain over their impact on parking and protected green belt land.

The Bolton News reported on Monday that developer Jones homes had submitted revised proposals to convert the historic Grade II listed building into eight homes and build 21 houses on surrounding greenbelt land.

Cllr Roger Hayes, who represents Smithills and has voiced opposition to the plans in the past, said: “There are some improvements with the way the coaching house is dealt with and the impact the proposed houses would have on the trees.

“What concerns me most is the development still entails building a significant number of houses in the green belt and near to a Grade I listed building.

“The development would remove necessary parking for visitors to Smithills Hall, Smithills Chapel, the open farm and people wishing to use the bridleway network.

“There are suggestions that some replacement parking would be provided, but that would entail another planning application and affect yet more green belt.”

The firm’s original plans were scrapped after an objection by English Heritage, which raised concerns about the look of the development when viewed from the historic Smithills Hall, and said it would not support plans to replace old windows with double-glazed fittings.

The new plans include moving some of the proposed houses further from woodland and relocation of a proposed electricity sub-station.

It also said it would follow English Heritage guidance about replacement windows.

Jones Homes could not be reached for comment.

Comments(2)

Nibelung

says…

11:40am Thu 1 Nov 12

Wont be long till the place is burnt down …by erm Vandals.
Nibelung

JustBecause

says…

7:15pm Thu 1 Nov 12

how do you get planning permission to build on green belt…..
JustBecause

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