The scheme to build 177 new homes over the old Horwich Golf Club off Victoria Road was given the go-ahead by the planning inspector in October 2022 despite being refused by Bolton Council.

Work started in October last year and now further plans have been lodged aimed at meeting conditions on drainage.

Cllr David Grant, of Horwich South and Blackrod, said: “As far as I’m concerned this was always the wrong scheme because elsewhere in Bolton we’ve got plenty of brownfield land, like at the Loco Works, we’ve never been opposed to the Loco Works.”

He added: “But we are opposed to these arbitrary targets that the government sets down for housebuilding which I think leads to some bizarre decisions.”

An artist’s impression of the finished houses (Image: Northstone)

The most recent step of the scheme puts forward additional plans for the drainage layout at the new housing site.

The issue of building over green belt land in Horwich and elsewhere across the borough of Bolton has proven to be contentious in recent years.

The most recent phase of the Places for Everyone scheme, which sets out a blueprint for development all over Greater Manchester, was approved by Bolton Council in March.

The proposal meant removing around 205 hectares from the green belt across the borough, making it easier to develop over it.

But it also meant adding to the green belt in other areas, including an extra ten hectares to land just north of Horwich Golf Club, where the houses are being built.

ALSO READ: Work starts on scheme to build new housing estate over former golf club

ALSO READ: New plans for housing estate given greenlight

ALSO READ: Green belt land at historic farm to be ‘protected’ and added to

Bolton West MP Chris Green said: “It’s very disappointing for so many of my constituents to see the land that has been taken out of the green belt and will now be lost to development

“But it’s much better news that some of the land is now protected and placed back in the green belt.

“This should make sure the land is capped off now and prevent future developments.”

Bolton Council will aim to decide whether or not to approve the additional drainage details by Thursday, June 13 this year.