A post office could be set to expand with more shopping space, extra parking spaces and new flats.

If given the go-ahead this will mean the post office on Church Road in Smithills could create a much bigger retail space.

This will also include as many as four new parking spaces with three two-bedroom flats and a much bigger retail space.

Cllr Roger Hayes, of Smithills, said: “It is a very valuable resource and a very valuable post office but there are concerns about turning it into what could be a very large store and the hours its keeps could be quite late.

“Of course, it’s very early in the process and we’ve got to look at the application in a lot more detail but there are a few things that could cause concern.”

Plans have been put forward to expand the post officePlans have been put forward to expand the post office (Image: RPC Architectural Design)

He added: “It’s a very good post office and very well run but its also quite small and this could mean the store spaces increases by about seven times.

“But we do know that its going to continue as a post office, which is good because we’ve lost far too many of them recently.”

The plans were put forward on Monday July 22 this year, with a consultation having opened up for neighbours living nearby on Church Road and Knowsley Road.

Bolton Council’s highways and engineering department has said that they have “no reasonable objections” as long as they have proper information on how parking will be dealt with.

ALSO READ: Fresh scheme to build houses off Grizedale Close, Smithills

ALSO READ: Smithills Estate in line for big boost in flooding funding

ALSO READ: Plans for historic home dating back to 17th century given green light

A statement said: “The council’s maximum parking standards are not met for this level of use-class, which is the case with the existing post office use.

“There will be a reliance on on-street parking at that location and the premises accessibility to sustainable modes of transportation and the surrounding residential catchment area and demographic.

“If the ground floor will benefit solely retail use, acting on the level of use-class any additional traffic/parking demand should be marginal in comparison to the existing use of the premises and should be accommodated with minimal additional detriment/severity to road safety, residential amenity and the operational capacity of the surrounding highways.”

Bolton Council will aim to decide whether or not to approve the bid by Wednesday September 25 this year.