The Westhoughton development is HQ to northwest
demolition specialist Forshaw and asbestos contractor Malrod Insulations, who
both built space for their own occupation.
The local authority had required road widening and
junction improvements under a planning condition but the associated costs were
significant, reaching an estimated £0.5 million at one stage.
Forshaw and Malrod were unable to reach a negotiated solution
and Bolton Council took enforcement action when the highway works were not
done.
The planning inspector, Peter Willows, accepted that the lesser works proposed
by the appellants would deal adequately with HGV traffic associated with
their developments, and concluded that the Council's preferred scheme was flawed
in its rationale and the outcome it would achieve.
Specialist highway advice to Forshaw / Malrod for the
appeal was provided by Alan Davies of DTPC Ltd, and legal support from Lewis Denton
of Dyne Solicitors.
A copy of the appeal decision can be viewed here.