10:10am Monday 22nd March 2010
More than 50 people attended a Horwich Town Council meeting to hear the discussions about two controversial planning applications.
Armstrong Aggregates wants to extend its operation of Pilkington Quarry in Georges Lane until 2042, and developers want to demolish the historic Vale House and build a new care home twice the size.
After objections were heard, both applications were recommended for refusal by the town council.
The new care home for Vale House had seen more than 50 objections sent to Bolton Council.
But Christine Thornley, on behalf of the applicant, told the meeting that the plans for the new 41-bedroom home complied with planning policies.
However, concerns were raised about what opponents claimed would be a loss of heritage of the 19th century home, the size of the proposed building and a lack of car parking.
Malcolm Lloyd, of Mallard Drive, described it as a “monolithic monstrosity”, while John Power said it “looked like a Travelodge”.
Cllr Peter McGeehan said: “While all the boxes have been ticked and complied with, we know policy is not always in the public interest.”
Meanwhile, councillors were left confused by the quarry application.
The applicant said that the date should be extended because the conditions under which the quarry operated were not legal, following case law.
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