ANOTHER major housing development will be built in the borough despite Bolton Council rejecting it repeatedly, leading councillors to call for an end to government-appointed inspectors overturning their democratic decisions.

Plans for 167 houses, the second phase of development at Bowlands Hey, have been given the green light after a success appeal by Bellway Homes.

This will add to the 127 homes, now known as The Vistas, which are already under construction – with some already occupied – on the protected countryside land in Westhoughton, also allowed after an appeal to inspectors.

The latest bid to build on the beauty spot proposes just seven fewer houses than the plans which were dismissed by an inspector last year – but a new inspector said this proposal is “landscape-led” and “materially” different.

Councillors across all parties in Westhoughton are deeply disappointed, citing concerns about more traffic, loss of green spaces and a lack of school places.

Lib Dem councillor David Wilkinson claims the decision, which came after a public inquiry was held online three weeks ago, was a “forgone conclusion”.

He said: “It was already done and dusted. Appeals have become a joke.

“The planning inspectorate is now not an impartial third party.

“Instead of being an independent arbiter, it is actually on the side of the developer.

“The planning inspectorate needs to be abolished now and we need to come up with something new. Nobody has faith in it.

“The people in communities up and down this country have been shafted under this system and will continue to be shafted.”

Ex-Labour councillor Anna-Marie Watters, who is now an independent, was “fuming” about the decision which she described as “heartbreaking”.

She said: “What on earth is the point of having a local planning committee to make decisions based on the area that they know for it to be overturned by people who know nothing about the area?

“Why on earth are we there when other people make decisions?”

Deputy leader Martyn Cox, who represents Westhoughton North and Chew Moor as a Conservative councillor, said he partly agreed with his colleagues.

He said: “The planning inspectorate has way too much power and not enough accountability to local residents.

“To simply overturn it is very undemocratic and very difficult for people to understand – they elected local politicians to decide for them.

“The planning inspectorate should be able to give an opinion. But the final say should be with elected politicians.”

A planning inspectorate spokesman said: “Inspectors are independent and impartial.

“They make decisions after giving full consideration to the evidence submitted at the time of the appeal and take account of current planning legislation, policy and guidance.

“This appeal was started on February 26. Site visits were undertaken on July 2 and 10 and a virtual inquiry sat for four days from 6th to 9th July.

“This is in addition to written evidence submitted prior to the Inquiry which the inspector fully considered.”

The six-week period during which the decision can be challenged in the High Court ends on August 7.