Here's a summary of the Planning Control Committee meeting held by Bury Council on 2 September 2025.

The Planning Control Committee met to discuss several planning applications, a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), and various reports. Decisions were made on planning applications for developments across the borough, and a temporary TPO was confirmed.

Planning Applications

The committee reviewed and made decisions on several planning applications.

• 52 Bury Old Road, Prestwich The committee deferred a decision on an application for a site visit regarding the demolition of an existing mosque and community facility and the erection of a replacement.
• Shore Top Farm, Kearsley Road, Radcliffe The committee deferred a decision on an application, awaiting further information on Section 106¹ finances for the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility.
• 34 Ringley Road, Whitefield The committee approved with conditions a change of use from a dwelling house to a children's residential care home.
• Land at 12 Holthouse Road, Tottington The committee approved with conditions an application for reserved matters (access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale) following outline approval for the erection of one dwelling.
• Land at side of 32 Manchester Road, Ramsbottom The committee approved with conditions the erection of one dwelling and undercover parking for the proposed dwelling and No. 32 Manchester Road.
• 527 Manchester Road, Bury The committee approved with conditions a change of use from a dwelling to a seven-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), a rear dormer extension, fenestration alterations to the rear, and cycle storage.

Delegated Decisions, Planning Appeals and Tree Preservation Order

The committee also considered other matters.

• Delegated Decisions: The committee noted a report from the Head of Development Management listing recent planning application decisions made by officers using delegated powers.
• Planning Appeals: The committee noted a report from the Head of Development Management listing recent planning and enforcement appeal decisions.
• Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Confirmation: The committee confirmed a temporary preservation order for a tree at 48 Hilda Avenue, Tottington so that the order takes effect on a permanent basis.

Tree Preservation Order Confirmation

The committee reviewed a report regarding a temporary TPO at 48 Hilda Avenue, Tottington. The report noted that the council had imposed the order on 7 May 2025 to protect an oak tree, which was considered to have a significant presence and visual amenity value in the area. The tree was seen to be under threat of damage from ad hoc works.

The council had received two objections to making the order permanent. The objections raised concerns including:

• The tree's branches extending beyond the property boundary and causing damage to neighbouring properties.
• Safety concerns related to falling branches.
• Potential structural damage from the tree's root system.
• Restriction of natural light and fresh air.
• The tree not being located in a conservation area, nor holding any known rarity, cultural, or historic value.
• The TPO being influenced by an ongoing dispute between neighbours.

The report detailed the assessment of the council's Tree and Woodland Officer, who recommended that the TPO be confirmed. The officer considered the tree to be prominent and contributing to the visual amenity of the area. The officer also noted that the TPO would not necessarily restrict appropriate tree maintenance, but would promote it.

The committee resolved to confirm the temporary preservation order, making it permanent.

Planning Applications

The committee considered a number of planning applications, with supplementary information provided for application numbers 71834, 71963 and 71520.

St Stephens C Of E Primary School, Colville Drive, Bury

The committee approved with conditions the erection of new 2.4m high boundary fencing and access gates at St Stephens C Of E Primary School, Colville Drive, Bury.

Councillor Jackie Harris declared an interest in this application as she was a governor at the school and a local ward councillor, and left the meeting during deliberations. Councillor Dene Vernon, also a local ward councillor, declared that he had been contacted by local residents but had not pre-determined the application, and would remain in the meeting.

Bury Interchange and land bounded by Pyramid Park/East Lancashire railway line, Knowsley Place/Duke Street, Bury

The committee approved with conditions a full planning application for the infill of the existing underpass, engineering works to recontour the land within Pyramid Park, the construction of a pedestrian bridge across the Metrolink line, improvements to the Metrolink platforms and canopies, construction of a new sloped footpath, hard/soft landscaping, and associated drainage and lighting schemes at Bury Interchange and land bounded by Pyramid Park/East Lancashire railway line, Knowsley Place/Duke Street, Bury.

Councillor Gareth Staples-Jones declared an interest in this application as the current Chair of the Bury Local Bee Network Forum, and left the meeting during deliberations.

Ivy House, Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom

The committee approved with conditions a variation of condition no.2 (approved plans) on planning permission 65114 for amendments to a previously approved dwelling and garage at Ivy House, Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom.

65 Windsor Road, Prestwich

The committee refused an application for a change of use from a shop to a restaurant and the retention of an extract flue and AC unit at 65 Windsor Road, Prestwich. The reasons listed were that the retention of the proposed extractor flue would be seriously detrimental to the residential amenities of the neighbouring property by reason of its size and appearance in addition to the smells emanating from it whilst in operation, conflicting with policy S2/6 Food and Drink of the Bury Unitary Development Plan.

Councillors Councillor D Berry, Councillor M Hayes and Councillor D Vernon took no part in the meeting during deliberation of this application, as they had not been present at the June meeting which deferred the application for a site visit.

Sites of Biological Importance

The committee noted a report from the Head of Development Management identifying the latest changes made to the GM Register of Sites of Biological Importance for the Borough. During the review period 2022 no sites were added to or removed from the Register, however gains were made at three sites.