AN approved bid to demolish a disused building and turn it into a block of flats has been criticised by a town council. Plans were passed by Bolton Council at the end of January to demolish a vacant building in Harrison Street, Horwich, and build a three storey block of flats in its place. The block would comprise 10 one-bedroom flats with one two-bedroom flat with space for nine cars to be parked. The application was submitted by Next Stage Ltd, based in Westhoughton and approved by Bolton Council on January 29. But the plans had been slammed by Horwich Town Council last October.
The home on Brownlow Road, close to the centre of Horwich PLANS to convert a three-bedroom terraced house into a seven-bedroom house of multiple occupation have been met with ‘outrage; by neighbours. Manchester-based developers Wilson and Scanlon have submitted the plans, for a house on Brownlow Road, close to the centre of Horwich. Councillors representing the area have said that if the plans were approved it would ‘materially alter the family-orientated, residential nature of Brownlow Road. A highways report attached the plans states that the property is highly accessible to modes of transportation and the town centre of Horwich car parking provision.
Readers have had their say in an online poll narrowly backing a town to review its position within Bolton Council. An online poll ran on The Bolton News website showed that 51 per cent of residents back calls by Horwich Town Council for the government to conduct a review into the town s position in Bolton Council. This review has been asked for by the town council as they feel their voice is not being properly heard on issues such as funding or planning. Two motions were passed by the town council earlier in January to write to Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick asking for a review firstly into Horwich’s place in Bolton Council and secondly a review into the current Horwich boundaries.
Horwich Town Council recently wrote to the government asking for a review of its place in Bolton Council. Town councillor, Steven Chadwick, suggested a review may find that Horwich should join Chorley Council or join with neighbouring towns, such as Leigh, Atherton, Blackrod, and Westhoughton, to create a new Greater Manchester borough or area of Lancashire. Cllr Chadwick said that the council have asked for this review as many residents feel they have been forgotten when it comes to funding or having a voice on issues such as planning. Chorley Council leader, Alistair Bradley, and MP for Bolton West and Atherton, Chris Green, both expressed sympathy with Horwich Town Council s views in statements for The Bolton News.
Leaders have had their say on the calls by Horwich Town Council to consider breaking away from Bolton Council. Town councillors wrote to Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick after they passed two key motions at a meeting of the town council. The first looks to reconsider Horwich’s place in Bolton Council, as town councillors believe Horwich’s voice isn’t heard when it comes to funding or planning. The second motion wants to review Horwich’s current boundary, which doesn’t include all of Middlebrook or Horwich Parkway train station. Cllr Steven Chadwick, Horwich’s deputy mayor, said the approval of plans to build 48 homes on Pickup Fields and delays to Horwich getting a modern health centre were just some of the reasons many residents feel it would be better to not be part of Bolton.