An appeal has been launched against the decision by Bolton Council to reject plans to turn an agricultural building in Stoneclough into a home.

The proposal was launched last May in respect of the property on Ringley Road West.

Cityview Estates Ltd, based in Prestwich, wanted to convert it into a residential dwelling on behalf of their client.

They sought a certificate to show the development was lawful.

An earlier version of the plans, launched in January 2022, was rejected due to a lack of information on the proposal.

An report from officers at Bolton Council said no more detail had been provided about the previous uses of the building.

It said: “Having reviewed the information submitted with the application, it is the local planning authority’s view that no new information has been provided with regards to when the land and building was last used for agricultural purposes.

"In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is considered that on the balance of probabilities, the previous use of the building was not agricultural on 20 March 2013.

“It remains the local planning authority’s view that the most likely use of the site on that date was equestrian.”

They said this made the proposal unlawful.

Declarations from neighbours said they had seen horses at the property.

But the applicants were adamant that the property was used for agricultural purposes.

They said a contracted haymaker had sworn an affidavit saying he considered “the sight as agriculture".

The plans were rejected in July last year as the developer had failed to show that a certificate to change its use could be issued.

But now a fresh appeal against the rejection has been launched.

Planning officers have confirmed that an appeal has been received and they will look to confirm whether the appeal is valid.