A CONTEMPORARY three-bedroom house set to be built in Blackrod would “stand out” from the stone houses around it, town councillors have said.

The new property at land north of Boardman Street, where permission for two dwellings had already been granted in principle, has been given the green light.

But speaking on behalf of his fellow Blackrod town councillors, Cllr John Price said the new house is “totally unsuitable” for the area and “out of character”.

He said: “It is felt that this development, if approved, would actually stand out from, rather than fit in with, the current street scene, which would in fact be contrary to Bolton Council’s own design policy.

“This particular development – a very attractive design – we feel is in the totally wrong location.

“It’s proposed to be built next to stone cottages dating back to 1860 and conventional houses to the other side of the plot, also overlooking conventional semi-detached houses.

“We’re not against development in Blackrod whatsoever, but we are against inappropriate development that will spoil and affect the street scene of certain parts of Blackrod.”

Speaking to Bolton’s planning committee on Thursday, Cllr Price also raised concerns about a public sewer pipe which runs through the site as well as the distance between properties on neighbouring roads.

He also claimed that the application would not fit with the new Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan which was agreed by Bolton Council and due to be voted on in a local referendum – but this was postponed due to the pandemic.

He added: “This plan outlines Blackrod’s development needs to be developments of four-bedroom dwellings, not three-bedroom of which Blackrod shows an oversupply.”

Speaking on behalf of the applicant at the virtual meeting held by video conference, Kate Grimshaw reminded the committee that the principle of residential development on this site has already been established.

She said: “Whilst it is accepted that the design of the proposal is contemporary, it is considered to represent good urban design as required.

“The scheme has been carefully designed and will be set into the ground so in essence, the highest part is only one and a half storeys.”

Horwich and Blackrod  councillor Peter Wright, who sits on the planning committee, raised concerns about access on the street and the new house overlooking existing properties in the neighbourhood.

He said: “The materials intended to be used for the dwelling is not in-keeping with the surrounding houses which are brick and stone.”

But Cllr Nick Peel, also a member of the committee, said he did not see much wrong with the application and proposed approving the application.

The planning committee approved the application by 12 votes to four.