MARKS & Spencer has won its battle to open a new store at Middlebrook.

Controversial plans by the company to convert the former Allders building at the out-of-town retail park were approved by Bolton councils planning committee on Thursday.

It is expected 100 jobs will be created. Marks and Spencer says it will keep its existing store in Bolton open. But some traders believe the Middlebrook store will have a detrimental effect on town centre business.

M&S will be allowed to sell goods at Middlebrook which were originally ruled out under a special covenant when the retail park opened in 1998.

Cathy Savage, manager of the Bolton Town Centre Company, said: "I have not got a problem with Marks & Spencer - but I think the issue here is that this has broken the principles in place to protect the town centre.

"It will set a precedent and I think the council will now have problems stopping other companies opening stores at Middlebrook or other out-of-town sites.'

Rod Neasham, manager of the Market Place shopping centre, also criticised the decision.

He said: "We had hoped the council would reject it and we fear for businesses in the town centre because the opening of this Marks & Spencer store will affect their trade.'

A similar M&S application was rejected earlier this year after it was found to break the terms of the covenant restricting the sale of items such as clothes, shoes, books, jewellery and toys.

But on Thursday, councillors approve the M&S plans after the retailer cut the amount of space which would be made available to the restricted items in the 3,000 sq ft former Allders store from 80 per cent to 59 per cent.

A spokesman for Marks & Spencer said: "We are delighted with the decision and are really looking forward to extending what we offer in Bolton by opening an additional store.

"It will complement our existing store and offer increased customer choice in the region."

Paul Burgess, director of Orbit Investments (Northern Ltd), which owns Middlebrook, told the committee that Marks & Spencer would look for another site outside the borough if the application was rejected. He added the company would take a 25 year-lease on the store.

Mr Burgess said: "Claims this store will kill the town centre are just scaremongering.'

Councillor Andy Morgan told the committee: "I voted against the last application but we have just approved a massive redevelopment of Bolton town centre and I think they would be mad to move out.'

Cllr Norman Critchley said: "We should support all of Boltons shopping centres not just the town centre.'

But Cllr Nick Peel said: "I still believe we should be looking at the wider, long-term interests of the borough and I cannot back this plan.'

The M&S decision came after the committee had given the go-ahead for a £100 million shopping, leisure and luxury apartment development around the Central Street car park.