A PLANNING application for permission to build a 23-bedroom hotel and country club in Ramsbottom has been withdrawn by its applicant.

The development had been proposed on land off Ripon Hall Avenue and Haigh Hall Close on the Whittingham Drive estate.

The application, which was lodged with Bury Council earlier this year, featured leisure facilities, a restaurant and bar, three function rooms, and car parking.

More than 500 objections had been made against the application, and a decision was expected to be made by planning officers in the next few days.

Cllr Ian Bevan said: “Ramsbottom’s green spaces need to be protected from developers. We have strongly opposed this planning application and done everything possible so far to stop it going ahead. We are very pleased that the application has decided to withdrawn his planning application and hope that no further application will be lodged in the future.

“Before releasing green field sites for development, Bury Council should prioritise brownfield sites, regenerating our town and stop unsightly derelict industrial areas falling into further disrepair rather than building on our much loved green spaces.”