A SCRAP yard boss has vowed to work with neighbours if he wins a controversial planning appeal.

But he warned if he loses he could be forced to make people redundant or even move the firm out of town.

Sean Chadwick, owner of SC Chadwick and Sons in Breightmet, is appealing against a decision by planners to block his proposals to extend the site he bought in 2002.

Speaking after the final day of the public inquiry into his dispute with Bolton Council, Mr Chadwick said: “We are very optimistic we will get the planning approval because we want to improve the site. We would like to work with residents to make the site better for them really.”

Town hall chiefs also served the scrapyard with an enforcement notice after Mr Chadwick built two single-storey buildings, a concrete boundary wall and four metal lighting columns.

All of the structures were ordered to be dismantled by planning chiefs in July last year — but the businessman is refusing to back down.

Mr Chadwick, who lives in Cheshire, added: “It will mean the waste will be kept in sheds rather than out in the open where residents can see it.

“If planning is not granted, we will have to sit down and re-evaluate the business. But we are very keen to keep the business in Bolton.”

Anthony Gill represented the council and said during his closing statement: “The outstanding reason for refusal is the development, by virtue of its nature, scale and appearance, would represent inappropriate extension of urbanisation within an area of Protected Open Land.”

Concerned neighbours remained sceptical about the waste disposal site.

Lynn Hailwood, of Oakenbottom Road, said after the hearing: “We hope the planning inspector makes the right decision and upholds the enforcement notice, because it is us that has to live with the site.”

The business employs 15 people, but Mr Chadwick says he could lose four if his appeal is unsuccessful.

He may also be forced to reduce the size of the compound wall from three metres to two metres, if he loses the appeal.

The results of the inquiry will be released in eight to 10 weeks.