The Planning Control Committee of Bury Council met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to consider a range of planning applications, review delegated decisions and planning appeals, and discuss the implementation of a new National Scheme of Delegation for planning decision-making.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider several planning applications.

Land adjacent to 62 Springside Road, Bury, BL9 5JQ

This application concerned reserved matters for the appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of 12 dwellings, following an outline approval. The proposal included details for a drainage strategy, boundary treatment, amphibian and mammal avoidance measures, highway aspects, and a travel plan strategy. The report recommended that the committee be minded to approve the application, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement for recreation provision. Numerous objections were received from local residents concerning visual amenity, green belt issues, residential amenity, highways and parking, ecology, and flooding.

Former Ambulance Station, Cemetery Road, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9PU

This application sought permission for the demolition of the former ambulance station and the erection of three dwellings. The report recommended approval with conditions. Concerns raised by objectors included a lack of existing parking, the poor condition of the road, potential damage from construction traffic, increased traffic and parking demand, access for emergency vehicles, overdevelopment, and the impact on TPO trees and wildlife.

Delegated Decisions

A report was presented detailing planning decisions made by officers under delegated powers between 21 July and 20 August 2026. This report listed numerous applications, primarily for householder extensions, changes of use, and the discharge of conditions on previous planning permissions.

Planning Appeals

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on planning appeals lodged and decided between 21 July and 20 August 2026. This included details of appeals lodged against refusals for a new front driveway, a change of use for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), the erection of a dwelling, and alterations to a synagogue. One appeal decision was reported: the dismissal of an appeal against the refusal of permission in principle for the erection of up to four dwellings at Hilsden Farm Stables, Ringley Road West, Radcliffe, M26 1DW. The inspector found that the proposal constituted inappropriate development in the Green Belt and that very special circumstances had not been demonstrated.

The National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Decision Making

A report was presented to inform the committee about significant national changes to the way planning applications must be determined by local planning authorities in England. The Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, coming into force on 31 October 2026, introduce a National Scheme of Delegation. This scheme mandates that certain planning functions must be discharged by officers, while others may be referred to planning committees under specific criteria. The report outlined that the council would need to update its Constitution and associated procedures to comply with these regulations, with a formal decision to amend the Constitution expected to be made by Full Council. The committee was recommended to note the introduction of these regulations and the subsequent requirement for constitutional changes.