PARKING and traffic concerns have been raised over a fishery owner’s plans to open his successful restaurant for longer — but town councillors ultimately endorsed the idea.

Stephen Kershaw, of Curley’s Fishery and Dining Room in Wallsuches, Horwich, applied to vary conditions attached to the business’ existing planning consent that constrain its operating hours, the use of the site, the approved plans and retail sales.

It means instead of the current 8pm closing time the restaurant, called Curley’s Dining Rooms, would be able to stay open until 10pm with the same half an hour drinking up time on top.

Neighbours and some members of Horwich Town Council’s planning committee voiced concerns at Thursday’s meeting of the committee about the ramifications of the plans

Councillor Stephen Chadwick said: “That area of town – well, it’s not in the town, it’s in the countryside – is in a conservation area.

“The restaurant has been success since it opened but it’s getting bigger and bigger and it’s having an impact on residents.”

One neighbour, Mabel Sharples, urged the committee to recommend Bolton Council refuses the application.

She reminded the members the site is in the Green Belt and in a conservation area and said of the proposal: “This will lead to more traffic and cars.

“It’s obvious there is not enough parking on site. Wallsuches is a public highway and a public footpath which can be very congested with traffic.”

She explained how the road was not wide enough for two cars to pass, how she feared for fire engines and ambulances not being squeeze past and how due to the lack of room customers churned up the track with three point turns.

However, the committee was informed Bolton Council’s highways department had not lodged an objection.

Councillor Marie Brady said: “If they want to open longer they should address the parking.”

Councillor Patricia Holmes said: “I’ve been to Curley’s and the parking situation is a nightmare.

“It’s not been mooted as a problem about noise or late night drinking. I’m conflicted about this.”

The committee voted by a majority to recommend Bolton Council approve the application on the proviso a traffic assessment is carried out.

Bolton Council’s planning committee will consider the application on November 17.

Mr Kershaw’s planning statement submitted to Bolton Council said: “Whilst the business has now become established over the past three years, it has also become clear that its economic success has been constrained by the limitation of its trading hours into only the early evening — with both a demand and capacity to extend the approved business to better ensure the economic sustainability of the investment.”