WESTHOUGHTON'S long-awaited supermarket is a step nearer reality.

An amended application for a store in the two main units within the proposed town centre redevelopment scheme was approved by town councillors this week.

Another application for a petrol filling station off Cricketer's Way, part of the same development, was also given the go-ahead at the town's planning, finance and general purposes meeting.

Now both applications will go before Bolton's planning committee tomorrow.

Planning officer, Ged Kelly, said the developer was keen to make a start on the scheme which had originally been approved in December 1994.

He said the scheme had now changed and instead of the original 2,200sq metres it would be slightly smaller at 2,050sq metres. Mr Kelly said a user had now been identified who wanted a particular building but approval was needed before work could start.

Cllr David Wilkinson asked what the position was on the other units and car parks. He was also concerned that there should be a walkway retained to ensure that the shops on Market Street are not isolated.

Mr Kelly said the two units would be served by a car park and there would be no loss of parking spaces.

Cllr Linda Thomas said they should welcome the scheme.

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