A NEW supermarket will be built and a neighbouring fast-food restaurant will be expanded after councillors waved through plans this week.

German giant Aldi will knock down its existing store in Whitefield to build a new one.

Meanwhile, neighbouring McDonald's will be expanded with additional "drive-thru" facilities.

The new developments at the sites were unanimously approved by the planning committee on Tuesday night.

At the meeting, Aldi's property director Stuart Parks told the committee that the company will run a bus service to its Prestwich branch while the site is under construction.

He also said that the car park, which is shared with neighbours McDonald's, will have electric vehicle charging points.

Residents living in Frankton Road, Sefton Street and Bury New Road raised concerns about increased traffic and the impact on local amenities.

Mr Parks said: “We have listened to the local community and understand their concerns over the proposed development."

The new building will be a single-storey retail unit with a mono-pitched roof using light and dark grey metal cladding.

The plan also includes demolishing a terrace of residential, commercial and retail units at the site.

In June, Aldi was given the go ahead to demolish a neighbouring building which houses the McColl’s store, a hairdresser's and other amenities, to make room for its own car park extension.

Whitefield councillor Bob Caserta said that Aldi should provide an ATM at its new store to make up for the one at McColl's which would be removed.

He welcomed the bus service and said that this, together with the provision of a cash machine, should be included as a condition of the planning permission.

However, planning officers said that this was beyond the powers of the department.

Residents also objected to plans for an extension at the neighbouring McDonald's restaurant.

The fast-food restaurant's plans would increase capacity at the site by creating a third collection booth.

Geraldine Riley spoke on behalf of residents of Bury New Road who, she said, have had to put up with noise from the "drive-thru" for many years.

She said: “They sound their horns, they play loud music, they shout, they rev their engines. This goes on day and night. It spoils the quiet of our homes and gardens and interrupts our sleep."

Franchisee Simon Topp said the restaurant has made changes in response to complaints from residents.