BOSSES at Middlebrook retail park say new plans to expand will have no effect on Bolton town centre.

Orbit Developments want to build three more retail units in part of the car park opposite Asda.

To compensate for the loss of parking spaces, plans have also been put forward for a two-storey car park opposite Asda, with 239 ground level spaces and 213 spaces on the upper level.

A spokesman for the Emerson Group, agents for Orbit Developments, said: "The two applications will improve Middlebrook for the residents of Bolton.

"They will have no effect on any town centre, given the very small size of the units proposed."

But Bolton town centre traders say they are "disappointed" with the plans, which come after they recently lost a battle over the scheme for a huge Marks and Spencer store at the out-of-town site.

Work on the development, in the former Allders building, should be completed by Easter.

The new application is for a single storey building which would be split into three smaller units.

They could be used for financial and estate agent services, or as restaurants, cafes, takeaways or shops.

"Until the units are approved, Orbit are not sure which tenants will occupy the units," said the spokesman for Emerson.

"Each would be considerably smaller than the other restaurant units within the car parking areas and would result in only 26 parking spaces being lost."

Cathy Savage, manager of the Town Centre Company, said she was disappointed because, after the Marks and Spencer plan, town centre traders understood there was no more space to build at Middlebrook.

The two plans will be discussed at Horwich Town Council on Wednesday nightahead of a decision by Bolton Council planning chiefs next year.