A new industrial development will be built on the edge of Bolton town centre alongside a new petrol station and fast food drive-thru restaurant.
The former Serco offices in Manchester Road and the land behind it are set to be transformed by Blackburn-based Euro Garages.
A new McDonald’s restaurant and petrol station will be built as part of the billionaire brothers’ plans.
There will also be a total of six industrial units constructed at the land south of the former Meridian Court building between Bradford Avenue and Kearsley Drive.
But concerns were raised over the impact the development would have on residents of these roads.
Rachel Ivill, who was joined by her neighbour Muriel Davies at the planning committee meeting on Thursday, told councillors that a new access road would be dangerous for pedestrians and drivers and that the “constant noise” of lorries would affect residents.
She said: “The access road onto Manchester Road will cause danger and inconvenience to both pedestrians and drivers due to the use of heavy goods vehicles for the long term.
“As well as this, there will be the constant noise of reversing wagons.
“There is no need for more industrial units, shops, restaurants or petrol stations in the immediate area.
“The area is already well served by its current large and small shops, existing petrol station and storage facilities.
“To increase these would be to the detriment of local residents who already live next to a busy railway and busy roads.”
The Kearsley Drive resident also feared that the development would lead to parking problems given that the applicant estimated that up to 250 jobs would be created but only 41 parking spaces are planned.
However, the town hall planners described this figure as ‘optimistic’, saying that the 2,013 square-metres of floor space is more likely to deliver 56 full time jobs.
Councillors were sympathetic to the residents’ concerns but voted to approve the development.
Great Lever councillor Mohammed Ayub, who has recently been appointed vice-chairman of the planning committee, welcomed the plans.
He said: “This has been an industrial site for many years. These companies often have early-late shift patterns.”
The committee voted in favour of the plans but added a condition stating that the units nearest to residential properties can only be used as office space in an effort to minimise the impact on residents.
