WORK is gathering pace on a new Sainsbury’s store on the site of the former Green Bengal restaurant in Bromley Cross.

A steel roof has now been placed on the building in Darwen Road by developers CW Construction.

The building project got underway in January after Bolton Council gave the controversial plans the green light last year.

As well as the supermarket, the plans include the building of two other retail units and a car park.

The decision followed a long-running saga between the developers, local residents and councillors over the positioning of the new shop.

It was claimed that access to the site could be dangerous for pedestrians walking along Darwen Road because of delivery trucks entering the site.

But the planning committee approved the plans and work is now well underway — with an opening scheduled for the autumn.

David Currie, managing director of CW Construction, said: “Work is progressing on schedule and we have now put the first layer of steel sheeting on the roof and tiles will be placed on top of that.

“We are hoping that the new store will open in either late August or early September but that date is weather permitting.

“We want to put the planning issue behind us now, the council approved the plans and we are focussed on getting the scheme finished with minimal disruption to local people.”

Mr Currie said the development would be a “quality build”. He added: “It is a stone building with a slate roof — there are not too many people creating these types of buildings these days.”

Bromley Cross councillor Norman Critchley led calls for the plans to be rejected.

He said: “I stand by my comments that I believe the building should have been relocated and that I don’t think that pedestrians, cars and heavy goods vehicles should use the same entrance.

“But the plans were approved, which I accept — I just hope it works out alright.

“I don’t doubt that they will do a good job with the building.”