TRAFFORD Council approved an Urmston salon's plan to move to its owner's garage this week.

The council's planning committee debated and decided on the application at a meeting yesterday.

The application, submitted by the owner of Flixton Road salon Nikki & Co in November 2020, proposes to convert a garage on Cob Kiln Lane into a new premises to replace the current premises.

It reads: "The tenancy [on Flixton Road] has been difficult for a long time and Covid rules have made the situation worse.

"The applicant has a long-term plan to establish their own premises in order to provide the best service in the best setting for their clients.

"There is no benefit in having a high street salon and the high value of the business rates and the rent has proved difficult for the business."

Messenger Newspapers: (Image: Butterfield Architecture)(Image: Butterfield Architecture)

Despite a lot of opposition from residents, the planning committee approved the application with a majority of 10 to three.

Prior to the vote, councillors on the planning committee spoke in support of and in opposition to the application.

Cllrs David Acton, Barry Winstanley and Daniel Jerrome expressed concern on a range of issues including the commercial use of a residential area and the rise in traffic.

However, the chair of the planning committee, Cllr Aidan Williams, as well as Cllrs Simon Thomas, Daniel Bunting and Meena Minnis, all expressed satisfaction that the application did no harm to residents or to Urmston's town centre.

The Messenger has asked Nikki & Co for comment.