FOUR controversial building applications which have been opposed by residents, were approved by Trafford's planning committee without members debating them.

Members of Trafford Council’s planning committee have approved four controversial planning applications without debating them.

There were six proposals due to be discussed during the authority’s latest planning meeting on Thursday.

However, the committee approved four of the plans without discussing them, despite members of the public submitting various letters of objections to each application.

One of those had been a proposal to build ‘Hobbit’ style homes under the lawn of a Victorian mansion in Sale. Nearby residents had raised concerns about parking and ‘garden-grabbing’ at Boothroyd House in Washway Road, Sale.

The scheme will see two subterranean apartments built under the lawn at historic Boothroyd House, a Victorian mansion that is now spilt into 10 flats.

The two underground flats would go on the market for around £180,000 and feature grass roofs.

Each flat would be ‘C’ shaped and have two en-suite bedrooms and an open plan kitchen/lounge.

The flats would also benefit from very high insulation levels and a heat recovery system and underfloor heating.

Work on the scheme is due to start later in the year.

Another application that was unanimously approved without debate was for extending a car park at Lookers House car dealership in Altrincham, which residents said would create safety issues. 

The final two were house extensions in Stretford and Sale with most of the objections raised by neighbours with concerns over privacy and use of space. 

All six applications, including the four opposed by residents, were approved without discussion at the planning meeting last week.

A spokesman from Trafford Council assured residents that committee members had 'considered all the relevant reports' before the meeting.

The spokesman added: “Members of the planning committee will have considered reports and the details of any objections linked to a planning application prior to the meeting.

“As there were no members of the public present for these particular applications the committee approved them in line with the officer’s recommendation and without debate.

“However the contents of the reports, including any objections raised, will have been fully considered by them in their determination.

“Each member will also normally undertake a site visit for each application prior to the meeting.”

The spokesman explained that any lack of debate simply meant that members agreed with officers’ conclusions on the proposals.