Plans to demolish a golf driving range and build seven homes on green belt land have been thrown out by a planning inspector. The proposals would have seen the former Kearsley golf driving range and clubhouse, Moss Lane, pulled down and replaced with three-bedroom bungalows.
The driving range closed in 2023 with the redevelopment plans originally rejected by Bolton Council in May 2024. In their decision notice, the council said the proposals would ’cause significant harm to the openness of the green belt’.
However, applicant M Warburton appealed that decision and the matter was taken to a government planning inspector. In December, the result of the appeal was published with inspector agreeing with the original decision.
Documents in support of the plans acknowledged the importance of preserving green belt land. The applicant argued that the development would occupy 22 per cent less area than the existing driving range and would result in a 16 per cent smaller volume of built structures.
The statement said: “This reduction ensures minimal impact on the landscape and surrounding environment reducing the impact on the openness of the green belt.” The planning inspector’s report said: “The appeal site is clearly separated from Kearsley by the undeveloped parts of the golf driving range facility and therefore, it does not form part of this urban area.
“The proposal, if it was developed in accordance with the illustrative drawings, would have a greater spatial impact on the openness of the green belt than the existing development. I am uncertain how seven dwellings with their associated gardens, parking areas and an internal access road could occupy the appeal site without significantly increasing the spread of built development.”
Due to the impact on the green belt the appeal was dismissed.