A NEW Asda store has ‘breached its planning permission’ by not operating a pay-and-display system on its car park, council bosses said.

Concerns have been raised that Chorley Council is losing out on thousands of pounds in revenue on nearby car parks due to shoppers parking for free at the Bolton Street superstore, which opened on October 20.

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An investigation has begun into the breach of planning, with the supermarket chain previously agreeing to match other nearby car park charges.

Asda has now been told to ‘comply immediately’.

Councillor Peter Wilson, deputy leader of Chorley Council, said: “They’ve got pay and display machines in place. We want them brought into use immediately as per the planning agreement.

“They have introduced automated number plate recognition to prevent people parking there for more than three hours, but it’s important to have consistency across the town centre car parks and Asda were aware of this.”

“They know that by not charging for parking, they are breaching their planning permission, we fully expect them to comply.”

One business owner said ‘taxpayers were missing out’. who did not wish to be named, said: “Asda agreed to this so why’s it not happened?

“Car parks such as Fleet Street and West Street are being hit so ultimately it’s council tax payers who are losing out.

“I find it hard to believe that a big firm such as Asda can operate in breach of planning regulations.”

An Asda spokesman said: “We believe we have met the planning obligations imposed by Chorley Council and will continue to discuss any concerns they have.”