A DECISION on whether to allow a Sainsbury’s to be built at the former site of the Green Bengal in Bromley Cross have been delayed again after months of wrangling.

Members of Bolton Council’s planning committee deferred making a decision on the latest application by C.W. Construction to build a supermarket, two retail units and a car park at the empty site in Darwen Road.

The company had previously been refused permission to erect the new units after councillors complained it would impact on road safety and affect the privacy and living conditions of Eddie and Evelyn Kilner, who live in neighbouring Lords Stile Lane.

C.W. Construction launched a fresh bid with a revised blueprint after their appeal to the Planning Inspectorate fell on deaf ears.

But at yesterday's meeting of the planning committee councillors asked the developers to look again at the plans, which would harm the amenity of residents living close by and neighbouring Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Darwen Road resident Gordon Rothwell spoke at the meeting and appealed to councillors to reject the plans because the new scheme would be built too close to his house.

He said: “If approved it would invade my right to light and my living conditions. Delivery trucks may be outside my house as early as 5am in the morning, with their engines running.”

Under the new plans, the larger of the two buildings — housing the Sainsbury’s store — would be at the north west corner of the site.

The smaller building with two units, which could be used as a shop, professional business, a cafe or restaurant, would be located to the east — reflecting a ‘swap’ since the original application earlier this year.

Before it was the Green Bengal, which was knocked down in June, the plot was home to the Volunteer Inn, the birthplace of the Lancashire F.A.

Andrew Watt spoke on behalf of C.W. Construction, and said they had made the necessary changes to the application since it was looked over by the government inspector.

He said: “The amount of car parking has also been increased. Ward councillors haven’t been in touch with me about the application, which suggests that this application is acceptable to them.”

However, Bromley Cross ward councillor Norman Critchley led the calls for deferment.

He told the committee: “The three ward councillors talked to the department and we wanted to have the units at the site of the Volunteer Inn.

“I do still think this new building is in the wrong place for two reasons, it affects 176 Darwen Road and it affects the church.

“Put in the position where the old Volunteer or Green Bengal used to be — it is so simple.

“ I hate calling deferment because I see no reason to do it if people would actually listen to what people are talking about.”