CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new Sainsbury’s at the site of the former Green Bengal restaurant have been approved despite objections from local residents and councillors.

Members of the planning committee narrowly agreed to allow the latest application by CW Construction to build a supermarket, two retail units and a car park on the Darwen Road site.

The decision ends a long-running saga between the council and developers over where the new building should be positioned within the site.

In the latest application, CW Construction had resolved to move the building 5.5metres away from 176 Darwen Road, after complaints it would affect homeowners.

But Graham Love, director of Janet Dixon Planning who represented CW Construction, told the committee it wasn’t possible to build the new building in exactly the same point as the old restaurant, as asked for by councillors, because it wouldn’t provide sufficient access for delivery vehicles.

“We have looked at the options, we have done our best to accommodate members’ preferences”, he said.

“It just won’t work.”

Bromley Cross councillor Norman Critchley led the calls for members to reject the application, arguing that the developers hadn’t provided a good enough excuse for not moving the siting of the building.

If approved the access in the site could be dangerous to pedestrians walking along the busy Darwen Road because of delivery trucks coming in, and planned disabled spaces were not acceptable, he added.

Cllr Bob Allen said: “For me this is worse than the original proposal. I just think there is still work to be done on this before we accept a development.

“We do want this one opportunity to get it right. It is worth doing that if we come back with a better layout.”

However, calls for the application to be rejected failed nine votes to 12.

CW Construction first applied in March to build the development at the site, previously the Volunteer Inn.

Councillors rejected their application on the grounds of a lack of car parking spaces and the effect it would have on Eddie and Evelyn Kilner, who lived on neighbouring Lower Stile Lane.

The developers applied to the planning inspectorate, who upheld the council’s decision because of the impact on the Kilners — but said the scheme had enough car parking provision.

While the building was demolished over the summer a fresh application was subsequently submitted to the planning department.

But this attracted new objections on its siting, the impact of traffic on the area and that Bromley Cross already had enough shops.

Darwen Road resident Graham Rothwell attended the committee to voice his worries.

Speaking after the meeting he said: “It’s absolutely disgusting.

“The people of Bromley Cross do not know what they are getting into – it will lead to more accidents.”

After the meeting Mr Love added: "It has been a long process but I am pleased common sense has prevailed.

“There is local support for a new foodstore and the scheme will bring better shopping facilities and wider choice to Bromley Cross and will create a number of new jobs."