PLANNERS in Bury approved the building of up to 13 new homes in Radcliffe this evening.

The council's planning committee followed the officer's recommendation to approve the demolition of an Edwardian-style care home in Bury Road to replace it with terraced houses.

The applicant, Ikhlaq Gorsi, of Bury Road has been granted outline planning permission for up to 13 three-bedroom homes on the site, the number is dependent on comments from Coal Authority, which have not yet been submitted.

The houses would be in two terraces, one along Bury Road and another at 90 degrees to the Metrolink line.

The care home used to be part of the Withins Lane Colliery and in 1907 the site was redeveloped into a single building and in the 50s it was knows as St Mary's Parish Church Rectory.

After a period as offices, in 1985 it became a care home.

Two members of the public commented on the application opposing the development and one in support of it.

Peter Henrys in Orkney Close objected because he felt adding more cars to the area would cause problems for motorists using Orkney Close.

Claire Slater of Bury Road supported the application because the care home building 'is an eye sore'. She added: "It also attracts litter and crime to the area. The plans are well thought out, the housing layout will mean that existing properties will not be overlooked and the design will provide a quiet safe close for young children to play out on."

She did not feel parking would be an issue.

No members of the public were present at the meeting and councillors approved the application unanimously.