CONTROVERSIAL plans to transform a former pub into a supermarket have been refused in a shock move by planning bosses.

CW Construction applied to demolish the Green Bengal restaurant in Bromley Cross — formerly The Volunteer Inn — and build a Sainsbury’s with two shops and a car park at the Darwen Road site in November.

In February, the planning committee called on developers to reduce the number of units to create more car parking spaces — fearing the lack of adequate spaces would lead to cars parking on residential roads and endangering road safety.

But speaking at the planning meeting, Andrew Watt, on behalf of CW Construction, said the firm had worked with Bolton Council officers and it had already planned a suitable number of spaces.

He added: “It’s important to make the best of an opportunity like this.”

Officers had recommended the plans be approved, but the application was met by stiff opposition from residents and ward councillors.

Edmund Kilmer, who lives next to the site in Lords Stile Lane, told the committee how he would lose sunlight to his house if the plans were approved.

He added: “I live right next door to the old Volunteer pub and, with what they are planning to do with the development, it means I will have no sunlight at all in my kitchen, bedroom and bathroom all day, every day. All day long I hear banging, banging — what they are doing I have no idea.”

Bromley Cross councillor David Greenhalgh, who is not on the committee, argued that the road was already an accident blackspot around a junction which hundreds of children used on a regular basis.

He said: “We want a development on that site but it it so crucial that we get the right development or it will lead to real, considerable problems with road safety.”

Cllr Norman Critchley moved to reject the proposals, arguing the development would unfairly impact on Mr Kilmer’s home.

He added: “I want a good development, the people of Bromley Cross want a good development, but not at any cost.”

CW Construction now has the chance to appeal the decision or put in a new application.