UNAUTHORISED renovation work on a Green Belt barn was spotted by Council officers who were following up a planning application.

They made the discovery when they went to look at a barn earmarked for conversion into a house at Landside Farm -- a former piggery -- on Hand Lane at Leighs.

Three years ago Wigan planners refused an application to convert the barn into a pair of semi-detached dwellings because they said it was not capable of conversion without major alterations.

A second planning application was submitted this month seeking permission to convert the barn into one house. But planning officers reported unauthorised work has been carried out on the building since the last application.

A report to the development control committee stated: "The structure has had its timber replaced with used brickwork which has given it a more solid appearance.

"Such works themselves are well beyond the scope of repair and in my opinion would have required planning permission in their own right. Such planning permission has neither been sought nor granted."

Enforcement action is to follow.