A DEVELOPER has launched an appeal in a bid to build five homes in a wooded area on the edge of the green belt.

Richard Kay of Hale Barns wants to overturn Bolton Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the new properties to be built in Astley Bridge.

It comes after plans for the new development on land to the North of Templecombe Drive fell through twice.

Initial plans submitted last year were withdrawn before a revised application was revealed in September.

The area of the site marked for development in the revised plans was smaller than the previous application and there had been more landscaping proposed, according to planning agents Paul Butler Associates.

But town hall planners ruled that the proposed development fails to protect biodiversity and would appear "incongruous" within the setting of the area.

They said: "The proposed development, by introducing built development within this woodland site, would not conserve and enhance the character and appearance of the area. The proposed development is therefore considered to be contrary to Bolton's development plan."

The planning inspectorate will make the final decision.