Stoneclough residents raise concerns over works

Workers have been excavating a grassy area on the Europa Trading Estate in Stoneclough. 

Residents say that grass has been dug up and and trees uprooted and replaced with hardcore, saying it had made view from their homes less attractive. 

The concerned residents cited a planning document from 1973, when the industrial estate was originally built, which gave a condition that there must be at least a 60ft area for "screening and landscaping" between it and nearby housing. 

However, the company responsible for the work, First Investment Real Estate Management (FIREM), says the work being done comes under permitted development. 

Permitted development allows certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application. 

It also says it will provide "additional landscaping and planting along the boundary". 

The site which used to be grassy (Image: Newsquest)

Resident Ken Wright said: "The trees and greenery were there to shield the industrial estate from us. That had been done when we moved in over 35 years ago, it was lovely, you would see foxes, rabbits, hares. 

"Now they have excavated the area, demolished the mounds of grass and cut trees down.

Read more: Appeal against rejection of dormer and loft conversion

Read more: Scheme to revive vacant town centre offices as 'four-star boutique hotel'

Read more: New pedestrian crossing and traffic lights to enhance safety and efficiency

"They have destroyed this land and they need to reinstate it." 

Ken and other residents have complained to Bolton Council about the works. 

Ward councillor Tracey Wilkinson said: "I absolutely understand the upset and distress this has been causing residents and we have been trying our best to support them through this alongside communication between them and council. 

"Enforcement are working on this issue to find if there has been a breach."

A spokesperson for FIREM said: “We do own a number of the buildings on the Europa Trading Estate, albeit we didn’t take ownership until the early 2000s.

“We have been in full contact with Bolton Council over this latest work, which has been carried out under ‘permitted development’.

The area behind the houses (Image: Newsquest)

“The site is earmarked as employment land and all our units are fully let.

“A lot of the tenants are expanding and need extra outdoors space. That’s why we’re providing some additional yard space, including extra car parking.

“No building work is planned and we will be providing some additional landscaping and planting along the boundary, which we'll communicate with the local residents on.”

In reference to the 1973 inspector’s report the spokesman added: “We didn’t own the site back then and there’s nothing in the title deeds in relation to it. 

“The council don’t appear to have a copy of it either but the work we’re carrying out is being done under permitted development.”

He added that "no trees with Tree Preservation Orders have been removed or affected". 

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: "We can confirm there is currently an enforcement case at the Europa Trading Estate and the investigation is ongoing."