CONTROVERSIAL plans by Marks and Spencer to open a new store at the Middlebrook shopping centre look set to be given the go-ahead.

A report by council planning officers recommends the proposals be approved at a meeting of Bolton planning committee.

The plans have been revised since being initially rejected, with amendments to the use of retail space at the site to allay concerns of town-centre traders.

But many are still opposed to the move, believing it could damage the town centres future.

Alan McNaughton, chairman of the Bolton Town Centre Company, says it could encourage other stores to move out.

He says the M &S plans break the terms of a covenant placed on Middlebrook when it opened in 1998 restricting the sale of items such as clothes, shoes, books, jewellery and toys. This was designed to protect town centre trade.

The new application is for 59 per cent of floor space to be given over to the restricted items, compared to 80 per cent in an application rejected in June.

Mr McNaughton dismissed this change as tinkering. He said: "The reasons for our objections to this scheme remain the same. We feel this goes totally against the interests of Bolton town centre."

The council has also received objection from the owners of The Market Place and British Home Stores.

A spokesman for M&S said: "We are keen to open a store at Bolton Middlebrook, which would operate in addition to our existing store in Bolton town centre. This is something we have done in many other towns throughout the UK."

Council planning officer Jon Berry said: "The applicant has reduced the sales of restricted goods and provided strong justification. The proposal is considered to conform to the relevant planning policies."