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Planning appeal decision

Dismissed23 February 20266002524

522 Leigh Road, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 2JX

Planning appeal 6002524 at 522 Leigh Road, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 2JX (Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council) was dismissed on 23 February 2026 by Inspector Gravett R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposal is in a suitable location for such a use, in accordance with the Sequential Test.

change of use from residential garage to form business premises

Authority
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
retail · Change of use
Inspector
Gravett R
Postcode
BL5 2JX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • whether the proposal is in a suitable location for such a use, in accordance with the Sequential Test
  • the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of neighbours with particular regards to noise and disturbance

What decided it

The appellant failed to demonstrate through a sufficiently robust sequential assessment that there were no suitable sequentially preferable locations in the town centre or edge-of-centre, contrary to Framework paragraph 95 and development plan policy.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
CS Policy P2Policy JP-P4CS Policy CG4
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 91Paragraph 95

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

See how each was applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Bolton

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

  1. Allowed16 October 20266013083
    42 Mackenzie Street, Bolton, BL1 6QW
  2. Dismissed22 September 20266009276
    Premier House, 13 Bark Street East, Bolton, BL1 2BQ
  3. Allowed28 July 20266007383
    Unit 17 Spring Street Business Park, Spring Street, Bolton, BL3 6EH
  4. Dismissed13 April 20266004013
    21-23 Bradshawgate, Bolton, BL1 1EL
  5. Dismissed23 March 20266002864
    156-158 Blackburn Road, Bolton, BL1 8DR

The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.