The proposed development described as the erection of 174 dwellings, the laying out of roads and footways, hard & soft landscaping, walls and fences and drainage, together with the laying out of public open space including ecological mitigation; and other associated works has been dismissed.
The first reason for refusal informs that the adverse impacts which the Council consider would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits are described within reasons 2, 3 and 4. Having withdrawn reasons 2 and 3 this leaves those adverse impacts specified in reason 4. This states that “the proposed development would have significant local landscape and visual impacts which would not maintain or respect the landscape character of the area or the landscape setting to the west of the Westhoughton Town Centre Conservation Area [CA]...” The Council clarified that the reference to the CA was not an assertion of harm to the setting of the CA.
Therefore the main issue is whether likely landscape and visual impacts of the development would satisfactorily safeguard the character and appearance of the site and locality with particular regard to landscape character.
I shall then go onto consider if any adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh any benefits of the proposed development.
Land At Bowlands Hey / The Fairways, Westhoughton, Bolton