A plan for a sports bar at a business park off Blackburn Road is up for approval by Bolton Council in spite of opposition from residents.

The applicant, Smashley's Limited, applied for planning permission to start Smashley's Sports Bar at the site towards the end of last year.

The plan for the sports bar at Dunscar Business Park involves repurposing a number of units, some of which were the units used by businesses like an axe-throwing bar and Dunscar Brewery previously. Unusually, it involves relocating a clock once seen on Bolton's Deansgate to the site too.

There is opposition from more than a dozen residents over issues from a risk of anti-social behaviour to a rise in light pollution and noise pollution in the area.

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The application said: "The development of Units 12, 12A and 12B at Dunscar Business Park into a single sports bar include recovering a previously partitioned area back into Unit 12 and some elevational treatments including relocation of the former H Samuels clock which was previously located above their store on Deansgate, Bolton.

"The sports bar will create employment for up to 40 people."

The Bolton News: The H Samuel clock

A report for consideration by the Planning Committee recommends the approval of the application when it meets at the town hall next week.

It recommends the approval of conditions such as opening hours of no later than midnight throughout the week to limit its impact on residents.

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The report said: "The proposed development would result in the re-use of the premises for a similar use and it would be in keeping with business park without harming its functionality which is considered to be a benefit. Other impacts such as on the local highway network and on living conditions have been assessed and have been found to be limited or neutral.

"As the benefits would outweigh any disadvantages, the proposed development is considered to represent sustainable development. Members are therefore recommended to approve this application."

The Planning Committee meets at the town hall next week.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.