PLANS which were submitted to the council seeking permission for a residential development on a grass paddock have been withdrawn.

Proposals sought outline planning permission for a development at the Bold Heath Equestrian Centre site, on Warrington Road.

A design and access statement, drawn up by planning agents Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd, on behalf of the applicant Ms J Baker, said: “The development proposal is for residential development within a grass paddock adjacent to the A57.

“The land area is enclosed by fencing, the land was previously part of the water treatment works which was situated on the land immediately to the west.

“This is evidenced by the ‘hockey’ fence posts and the chain link fencing to the east and western boundaries of the land.”

It adds the land to the west of the site is currently having seven houses developed on it after permission had been granted for this in 2021.

The application did not specify how many homes will be constructed but plans say “it is anticipated that the site could accommodate up to seven dwellings” and is “of a similar area to the residential development to the west”.

The site is “within the green belt”, however the plans claimed “there are several reasons, and very special circumstances, that merit the site to be approved”.

It said these include the “location and sustainability of the site” that is “adjacent to an ongoing residential development”.

It added “the site is well screened from the A57 by the established hedgerow” and claims the “proposal will not cause substantial harm to the openness of the green belt”.

On the application, a notice had been posted from council planning officers confirming the application's withdrawal.

The note to the applicant read: "Further to your recent correspondence, I can confirm that the above application has now been withdrawn If you intend to resubmit the application, I suggest that you first speak to the case officer to discuss amendments or revisions to the proposals".