RESIDENTS are determined to block a proposed move to build a new supermarket close to a busy roundabout in Kearsley.

Outline plans to develop land currently occupied by scrap yards and a haulage firm at the junction of Bolton Road and Old Hall Street have been passed to Bolton town hall for consideration.

Earlier in 1999 similar plans were blocked amid fury from the specially-formed Kearsley Environmental Action Group.

That same group is again pushing for the plans -- which planners say will improve local roads and the environment -- to be permanently shelved.

Concerns have been raised that the development by Liverpool-based Morbaine Limited will increase traffic in an already congested area.

Protesters say it is just 300 metres away from the busy M61 and A666.

And they claim that it will be the first shopping facility motorists will see, possibly leading to a fall in trade in Farnworth town centre.

These are factors strongly denied by the developer which has accussed the residents of creating "red herrings". Barris Liptrott, town planning consultant for Morbaine, said: "We have produced a retail impact study which we have passed to Bolton Council. It proves that a downturn in trade in Farnworth would not materialise.

"The council has taken that on board and recommended approval of the scheme."

Undeterred, Kearsley resident Bill Collinson, an active opposer to the plans, said the fight would still continue and added: "I estimate that traffic will increase by 1,500 cars a day.

"At peak times though, journeys which take 10 minutes on foot very often take twice that by car because of the volume of vehicles that pass through the area.

"They claim that it will create jobs, but as far as we can see, by knocking down firms already on the site, there will be job losses that outweigh any gains."

Mr Liptrott denied the supermarket would conjest local roads. He said: "We have proposals which would considerably improve the Long Causeway junction and ease conjestion.

"This is something that, in our opinion, the residents have not been able to appreciate."

He dismissed residents' claims that the site contains hidden methane gas as "red herrings".

"So far nobody has been able to come up with proof that there is any gas present," he said. "But if it was proved correct then of course we would make steps to rectify it."

The company was taken to a hearing following its first application for plannning permission.

John Prescott, Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, ordered the inquiry because the development was considered an out-of-town shopping development.

Kearsley councillor John Rothwell, who is also campaigning against the proposal, said: "The problem round here is the motorway and the fact that this is supposed to be the Kearsley Industrial Improvement Area.

"A supermarket is not an industrial improvement."