PLANS for new industrial units next to a public footpath have been approved.

ASA Homes plan to build the three buildings, made into four units, on a vacant site off Stone Hill Road, within the Express Industrial Estate in Farnworth, next to a path leading to Moss Road.

The units, close to the M61, will be accessed off the A575 Worsley Road, on to Stone Hill Road.

In a design and access statement supporting the plans, ASA Homes, said: “Adjacent to the site along its eastern boundary is a large and vacant space previously overgrown with dense vegetation and many trees.

“This area is separated to the application site by a public foot path known as Moss Road path.

“To the west and south of the site is a neighbouring industrial unit.

“With regards to the proposed buildings, their scale is modest in comparison to the large existing industrial shed which is immediately located along the west boundary.

“The form and design of the proposed units is kept simple and adopts a similar aesthetic to the neighbouring buildings inside of the Express Industrial estate.

“To maintain security, access into the site will be provided off Stone Hill Road at edge of this boundary via electronic gates, along a new road.”

Approving the plans Bolton Council planners referred to their policy to ‘focus jobs, opportunities and improvements at the modern employment area at Express Industrial estate’.

Consultation comments from Business Bolton confirmed support for the proposal which they considered to present a positive development for the area.

Due to the proximity of the units to Moss Road public footpath, the units will be set in to allow for a two metre wide landscape area between the buildings and eastern site boundary.

A larger gap between the buildings of 3.5 metres was also added to reduce the bulk of the built form when viewed from the footpath.

Prior to being cleared site had naturally regenerated and was overgrown with dense vegetation and trees, although as employment land none of the trees were awarded any protection.

As a result of the loss of trees and habitat the development of the site included landscaping and biodiversity enhancements to mitigate for the losses and to soften the appearance of the development from the residential properties on nearby Grundy Road and Lark Hill and from the public footpath