A BOLTON-based family business has been stopped from expanding to a bigger site because of a restriction on early-morning starts.

Nexday Overnite, a parcel courier service currently based off Plodder Lane, applied to move its operation to the former Lancashire Tippers site in Halliwell.

But the planning committee’s approval of the application was on the condition that operations would start no earlier than 6.30am, which the company said would be impossible to abide by.

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Cllr Cliff Morris, who proposed the amendment, said that residents did not want to stop jobs from being created but objected to the start time of 4am.

He said: “They accept, and I think it’s quite brave of them, that they don’t want to stop jobs in any way or form. But they do object to the starting time. Anything going down Marsh Fold Lane jumps and rattles.”

Managing director Ian Fox said that the company only received one noise complaint in 15 years at its current site in Moses Gate.

Cllr Andrew Morgan asked Mr Fox whether it would be possible to move the hours of operation.

He responded saying that the company is part of the nationwide APC network so delaying the start time would put its operations at risk.

During the debate, Cllr Morgan noted that only two members of staff and one HGV would enter the site at 4.30am and the majority of staff would come in at 6.30am.

He moved to approve the application which was recommended for approval by planning officers.

A total of 16 councillors voted to approve the application on the condition that operations start no earlier than 6.30am with only three councillors voting against that amendment.

Following the meeting, one of the company’s directors, Alan Simpson, said that the time restriction would not be acceptable. He said: “If we did abide by it we would put everyone’s jobs at risk. So we’ll remain at Plodder Lane.”