Bolton’s Planning Committee has given Zest, 877-879 Moss Bank Way a 12 month temporary approval for its application for “retention of first floor as conference facility, training room and cookery school”. It had been doing this, without planning permission for some months.

Objections were based on road safety concerns (the site is right on the roundabout at the junction of Moss Bank Way and Chorley Old Road) and on the lack of parking. Initially the business had been given permission to be a delicatessan, but prohited from doing more (mainly because of the road safety and parking concerns). It was then found to be trading as a coffee shop as well, and then applied for retrospectice permission, which was granted – again being prohibited from selling more. It was then found to be selling hot food, applied for retrospective permission, which was again granted. It was then found to be using the premises as a conference facility, training room and cookery school, and again applied for retrospective permission.

At an earlier meeting consideration of the application was deferred to allow the Highways Engineer (who had opposed this and earlier applications) to give a more detailed report on the road safety and parking issues. He gave a detailed report, which showed a number of serious problems. He confirmed his opposition to the application. His views were ignored by the Committee (one Councillor said she had visited the shop and nearly had an accident coming out, yet she supported approval!). 

The Environmental Health Officer recommended that there should be no extension to the existing opening hours – her views were ignored by the Committee.

I spoke strongly against the application on traffic and parking grounds, but my views were also ignored.

The Committee voted 15 to 5 to give temporary approval. There may be a condition requiring the kerbline of the central reservation to be extended in an attempt to prevent cars turning right onto the roundabout, but I doubt this will have much effect. The Council is also considering allowing land on the other side of Moss Bank Way to be used for parking.

We will monitor events over the next year, and hope there are no serious accidents here.

   Leave a comment