TONGE Fold is becoming the "drive-through" of the north, one of the area’s councillors has warned.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington spoke out during a debate on whether to allow a cafe to open at 329 Bury Road, which is currently empty.

Goldstone Properties want to change the shop into a cafe, with the front part of the premises being used by diners while the middle to rear becoming a food preparation and storage area.

But during the debate at Thursday’s meeting of the planning committee, Cllr Sherrington said she was worried that there were too many takeaways and eateries along that stretch of shops.

She said: "We have got everything you can possibly think of in that area. I can't say what it will be in the future but I do have my concerns.

"I just feel we haven't got anything that is commercially left apart from a few things like the Co-op. It's not like Horwich — the eating place of the north — it's Tonge Fold, it's the drive-through."

Her comments were met with opposition from Cllr Anthony Connell, who said if the applicant wanted to open a takeaway they would have to return to planning for permission.

Cllr Mudasir Dean, who is standing to become the Conservative MP for the area, welcomed the principle that Bury Road could become a "food hub".

The application was passed by 12 votes to nine. The new cafe will be allowed to open from 9am until 11.30pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and 9am until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.