AN empty restaurant in Bromley Cross could be demolished to make way for a new supermarket.

Sainsbury’s wants to build on the site of the former Green Bengal to create a “Local Shop”.

It would create 20 full and part-time jobs — but villagers and councillors have hit back at the proposals saying it will create traffic and parking problems.

The new 4,316 sq ft shop would have a cash machine and up to 15 car parking spaces.

Peta Brydon, acquisitions manager for Sainsbury’s North West said: “We believe this is an excellent opportunity to bring this important site, in the heart of Bromley Cross, back into commercial use.

“Sainsbury’s Locals are not full-sized supermarkets and provide a convenient location to do a basket shop, topping up their main weekly shop.”

CW Construction, in Tonge Bridge Way, Bolton, has submitted the planning application to Bolton Council.


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David Currie, managing director at CW Construction said: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting project.

“This is a significant investment in the local community, which will enhance the retail area of Bromley Cross and also provide local employment.”

The Green Bengal restaurant has been empty since May, 2012.

Eddie Kilmer, whose house in Lords Stile Lane backs on to the building, said there were already too many problems with parking in the area without another shop.

The 74-year-old, who has lived in Bromley Cross for the past 40 years, added: “When you look at that corner it’s chaos in the mornings, with parents dropping off their children for Turton High School.

“It’s getting worse and when I see plans for this site I can just imagine what it’s going to be like.”

Neighbour Mike Crofter said: “The main problem I see with these plans is road safety — anyone in Bromley Cross will know that that Darwen Road is deadly at times.

“We already have a Co-Op down the road — we don’t need another shop.”

Bromley Cross councillor David Greenhalgh added: “I’m not happy with it all — to me it is a blatant over-development of the site.

“My concerns are about the layout, the amount of space provided for the cars is not enough.

“It’s so important that we get this right, it’s on a very dangerous bend, near a school, and we acknowledge that this is a bend that motorists tend to speed around.”

A consultation on the plans with local residents will run until Friday, December 6. To see the plan, search planning app 90991/13 on Bolton Council’s planning website.

The plans will go before Bolton Council and a decision is expected in early 2014.