Plans to turn a former car sales site into a new business hub have been approved by the council.

Wells Electrical Contractors Ltd have been given permission by the council to redevelop a site in between Church Street and Manchester Road, in Wingates, to build three business units.

One building will be two storeys for the applicant's electrical contracting business facing Manchester Road, with two further single storey business units.

A planning statement adds that Wells are a Westhoughton based company established over 13 years ago who are "keen to continue to run the business locally as it is considered to be an excellent area both to live and work."

They believe the site offers good transport links making it an "ideal location to grow their business".

The statement says: "The business has now reached a critical growth stage and the opportunity to permanently base the business on Manchester Road will allow the company to bid for new large-scale contracts, employ more office-based staff and provide a place for meetings with potential new customers.

"The company identified and acquired this vacant site as an ideal opportunity to provide a base to secure its future growth. At the same time the size of the site provides the opportunity to develop a series of small modern business units for which there is little current availability within the local area."

The company also believe they will make a vital addition to employment in the area, and provide apprenticeships for people attending local schools.

The statement added: "Apprenticeships are vital part of the business and future development. Since the business was established, it has employed over 10 apprentices. The majority of the company is composed of electricians from the local area and attended schools within the Bolton Borough."

The planning application was passed by the council having received no letters of objection from the public or from councillors on December 21.

An officers report detailing why the application had passed said: "It is considered that the proposed development is of good design and will regenerate a vacant site at a prominent location."