HOLCOMBE residents who want to alter their houses could soon have to apply for further planning permission.

Plans to add more building restrictions have been put out for public consultation by Bury Council.

If approved, homeowners would have to gain the council's permission to extend their house, build a porch or chimney, build a swimming pool, lay down a new road or make significant changes to a point of access.

In some cases people would also have to get further permission to replace external doors or windows, change a boundary wall or put up fences and gates.

The proposal has been welcomed by Cllr James Daly, North Manor ward councillor. He said: "I support any action by the council to protect the unique character of the Holcombe conservation area.

"I applaud the action taken by the council to protect the area and its provision of beautiful countryside."

The article four direction would mean that people would have to submit a planning application for work which would not normally need one.

The council has proposed that the direction would come into force, subject to confirmation by the council's planning control committee, on July 31, 2017.

These directions are usually made when the character of an area of acknowledged importance would be threatened.

Holcombe Village and its surroundings became part of a conservation area in 1970 in a bid to preserve its character.

It means that people must get Bury Council's permission before erecting or changing buildings.

At a council meeting in February, development control manager Dave Marno said that it was being considered as the Government now allowed people to change the use of some buildings without the council's permission.

He said the concern was that some changes could "harm the special character of the area."

Residents wanting to respond to the consultation should contact the council on development.control@bury.gov.uk or The Development

Manager, Bury Council, Planning Services, 3 Knowsley Place, Duke Street, Bury BL9 0EJ by 12th June.