PLANS to demolish a former high school and build houses on the outskirts of Leigh have been given the go-ahead.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has backed Planning Inspector R M Barker's public inquiry findings that the King's Park Christian Centre -- the former Leigh CE High -- alongside Leigh Road at Atherleigh, can be knocked down and redeveloped.
Although the Secretary of State disagreed with the Inspector's view of the project's impact on the Green belt -- and felt it would cause additional harm -- he believed this was offset by new homes being an improvement on the declining state of the existing buildings.
He took into account the plan was a high density proposal on previously developed land within the Green belt and said there was currently no compelling need for housing. He noted that an assessment in 2003 revealed current development commitments provided a seven year housing supply.
Although he considered the plan was inappropriate in the Green Belt and contrary to policy, he ruled special circumstances outweighed this. He granted Redwaters Development Ltd permission to redevelop the site subject to a string of conditions including landscaping, drainage and open space provision. Work must begin within five years.
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