Neighbours have blasted an ongoing 10-year planning war at a millionaires’ row development after the local council ordered the demolition of five £1m mansions because they were too big.
The six-bedroom palatial homes at Grundy Fold Farm near Bolton were demolished two years ago amid the fight between developers and Bolton Council.
Work is nearly complete on the rebuilding of one house but instead of sitting on a plush luxury estate it is surrounded by boggy fields and a messy building site.
It is believed the other mansions could soon be reborn from the ashes after owners fought appeals and won planning permission.
But locals are far from impressed with the constant disruption and impact on their country views.
Warren Boydell, who lives opposite the moorland plot, told MailOnline: ‘We’re all pretty fed up with it. It’s turned into a never-ending nightmare.’
Five mansions at Grundy Fold Farm near Bolton, Greater Manchester before they were demolished (left) and now after one has been rebuilt (right)
Work is nearly complete on one house but instead of sitting on a plush luxury estate it is surrounded by boggy fields and a messy building site
The property which has nearly completed its rebuilding process at Grundy Fold Farm in Bolton
A drone photograph of the five mansions in Bolton before they were demolished in 2022
Despite the frustration of neighbours, work is set to last even longer after a series of planning battles were won by the wealthy owners of the remaining plots on the site.
Planning has now been approved at plot two, successfully appealed at plot five and a decision from the council is being awaited on for plots one and three.
The five mansions were demolished in 2022 due to breaching planning permission that had originally been granted a decade ago in 2014.
Mr Boydell added: ‘One has now been rebuilt and we’ve heard there are plans for another four.
‘I have seen adverts for two plot of land for sale. I am not looking forward to all the noise and disruption.
‘It’s crazy how long this has also dragged on. Myself and all the neighbours want an end to it.’
Nurse Abbie Mee, 27, said: ‘This has been going on since I moved into our house with my partner, so I kind of got used to it.
‘I have heard the new owners want to plant loads of trees for privacy. I’m worried however that is going to affect my view.
‘The houses aren’t really in keeping with the area. All this needs to be sorted.’
The mansions pictured in 2021 before they were demolished due to a planning row with the local council
Despite the frustration of neighbours work is set to last even longer after a series of planning battles were won by the wealthy owners of the remaining plots on the site
The house on plot four (pictured) appears to have nearly finished completion, and the other four could be coming soon
Dog walker Emma Jones, 41, said: ‘It’s a crazy situation. It’s like housing musical chairs.
‘Let’s hope it can be sorted once and for all soon. But I think there’s more surprises to come.’
Alison and Peter Thompson, who own plot five, the location of the former farmhouse, had their plans for a five-bed home rejected due to the impact on the Green Belt before it was demolished.
They appealed the ruling and last April, the Planning Inspectorate approved the build because of ‘special circumstances’, being the original grant of permission in 2014 and the ‘stress and anxiety’ caused to the family.
Inspector L Wilson, said in their report: ‘The size of the proposed dwelling reflects that previously granted planning permission in 2014. However, there is no extant permission for a dwelling on Plot 5, and the former farmhouse has been demolished.’
A digger is operated on the building site at Grundy Fold Farm in Bolton, Greater Manchester
Planning has now been approved at plot two, successfully appealed at plot five and a decision from the council is being awaited on for plots one and three
The five mansions were demolished in 2022 due to breaching planning permission that had originally been granted a decade ago in 2014
They added: ‘The appellants have not benefited from the unauthorised development, and understandably it has caused great anxiety and stress and it has undermined their health and well-being through no fault of their own. It has also resulted in substantial delays and costs for the appellants.
‘I also understand that there has been significant exposure in national and local press.’
Wilson went on to say: ‘Dismissing the appeal would not result in them becoming homeless.
‘Nonetheless, it would result in further uncertainty for the appellants, and their son, which would cause further anxiety and stress, and further undermine their well-being.’
Planning permission was given for the Grundy Fold development in 2014, but developers Sparkle Developments did not stick to the designs and locations they had approved.
This led to the council putting a demolition enforcement notice on the buildings and they were knocked down.
The Thompsons also won a legal battle with Sparkle in the High Court 2022, after a judge agreed they had been ‘deceived’ by Ian Holden – who runs the firm – that building on the site would not breach planning controls, Bolton News reported at the time.
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