CAMPAIGNERS have put the brakes on a controversial development near a well-known landmark in Ramsbottom.

Astim Ltd asked Bury Council for permission to build 24 flats for retired people on a former bowling green to the rear of the Grant Arms in Market Place, which is within Ramsbottom Conservation Area.

But 52 people formally objected and members of Bury planning committee rejected the application at a town hall meeting on Tuesday night.

At the meeting, John Ireland, from Ramsbottom Heritage Society, described the proposal as a "cut price, pound shop, opportunistic development".

He added: "We are opposed to this application because, if approved, it would drive a coach and horses through the conservation area and the council's development plan, which states that applications have a duty to protect and enhance the area, and this application fails miserable on both counts.

"As for enhancing the area — they must be joking."

Mr Ireland criticised the design of the development, for using rendering and reinforced stone.

He added: "It would have more in common with the beach front in Benidorm or Magaluf and not with the historic buildings around Market Place. It would stick out like a very large sore thumb.

"The development would be the death knell of Ramsbottom Civic Hall.

"How long are residents going to put up with slamming doors after 10pm and the occasional late-night reveller making his way home?"

Cllr Ian Bevan raised concerns that 13 parking spaces would not be enough and speculated that it may lead to residents and visitors parking on the neighbouring public car park, deterring other visitors and tourists.

Cllr Luise Fitzwalter told the meeting: "If we allow this, it will threaten all the protection that we have in the conservation area.

"Ramsbottom is a place where business is built around tourism and tourism is built around heritage. We need to preserve this.

"If the committee allows this, it would be open season on the conservation area. This is a badly designed project."

Cllr Robert Hodkinson also made similar points in objecting to the proposal .

A spokesman for Astim Ltd said: "The people who have been involved in creating this development, which has been going on over the last three years, have been more than thorough.

"It's a well-known fact that retirement properties are not being built in Britain.

"We have had numerous enquiries for these properties in Ramsbottom.

"They will be quite expensive properties built to a high standard."

Several members of the committee voiced their opposition to the application and said the campaigners had made a sound argument.

The committee voted seven to three against the proposal, with one abstention.

Members also voted to record 'parking' and 'protection of the conservation area'' as the formal reasons for refusal