A £14 MILLION college will be built on the site of a former primary school after planners doubled the number of parking spaces to be created alongside it.

Bolton councillors approved the application despite concerns over the suitability of the site, which will form the south campus of Bolton Sixth Form College and the town's Community College.

They had deferred their decision last week amid fears the site of the former Queen Street Primary School was not big enough.

That led principal Roy Whittle to warn that the Learning and Skills Council could withdraw its funding for the scheme if it was further delayed.

Yesterday's planning committee was shown amended plans which incorporated public car parks in Gas Street and Albert Road to provide an additional 54 spaces, on top of 59 promised at the last meeting.

The amended plans also showed a pedestrian route to nearby Farnworth Park to allow students to congregate off the campus.

Anthony Axford, who owns a sawmill next to the site, objected to the plans on behalf of local residents and businesses.

He said: "The car parks are full every day. Where are all those people going to go if you take away the parking spaces to give to the college."

Mr Axford also raised concerns about pedestrian and cyclist safety in an area where wagons often reverse and many people park on the streets.

Residents had complained about the effects on traffic in the area and that the building would overshadow their homes.

But Cllr Noel Spencer, supporting the application, claimed the influx of up to 750 students would help secure the future of Farnworth Library, in Market Street, which he said was underused.

"This proposal will be the single most important catalyst in bringing about the transformation of Farnworth," he added.

Cllr Margaret Rothwell said she felt as though she was being "bounced" into approving the application on non-planning grounds because of the support for the idea of the new college.

Cllr David Wilkinson agreed, saying the development was "badly thought out and badly consulted".

"This is not a perfect site in size and shape but we are stuck with it," he said.

The plans were approved on condition there were never more than 750 students on site.

The college is expected to take in 600 sixth formers and 150 community college students. It is due to open in September next year.