A DEVELOPER that built five luxury homes near Horwich without planning permission has been told it must knock them down within six months.

But it is understood Sparkle Developments, the firm behind the unauthorised mansions at Grundy Fold Farm, off Chorley Old Road, has appealed Bolton Council’s the enforcement notice — putting an immediate halt to proceedings.

Town hall chiefs also understand the Westhoughton-based company is appealing against the council’s decision in June to refuse permission for its amended plan.

A council spokesman said: “We served an enforcement notice requiring demolition of the unauthorised buildings within six months, from August 1.

“However, we understand from the Planning Inspectorate that the developer has appealed the notice.

“As a result enforcement action is now on hold pending the outcome of the appeal.”

It is the latest development in a long-running saga dating back to an initial application lodged in March 2017 and refused in June of the same year.

Cllr Nick Peel, who voted to refuse the amended proposals in June on the basis they were “not good enough”, says he sympathises with objectors who want to see the buildings — which stand in the green belt — demolished.

He said: “Generally planning law is almost bending over backward to appear to be fair to developers so enforcement action, particularly when it involves quite extensive structures and can drag on when there’s a lot of money involved.

“The planning inspectorate will facilitate the appeals process, make sure everybody is being treated fairly and no stone is left unturned.

“Unfortunately for the objectors they can get quite frustrated, it can go on for quite a while — that’s the planning law system we operate under in this country.”

But Cllr Peel added that the authority had made its position plain.

He said: “The council’s stance is clear, we think it is unacceptable, its down to them how they respond and when it goes to appeal its down to the planning inspector to decide if they back them or back us.”

And while Sparkle Developments will be desperate to overturn the council’s decision, Cllr Peel is confident the planning inspectorate will find in the authority’s favour.

He said: “We do expect them to back us to be consistent with planning law, which is what we have applied.”

The Bolton News has contacted Sparkle Developments for a comment.