PLANS for the Rock Triangle could be approved within weeks after they received the nod of Government approval.

The news comes as small firms complain they are being "left in limbo" over redevelopment plans for the Rock Triangle.

Under a scheme lodged by developers Thornfield, existing premises between The Rock, Derby Street and Moorgate Retail Park would be replaced with new shops and apartment complexes.

Last year councillors said they were minded to approve the £50 million proposal, which had to be examined by the Deputy Prime Minister's Office because of its size.

However, chip shop owner Caroline Thompson says that businesses have been left in the dark about proposals and she has written to council chiefs asking to know more.

Mrs Thompson's family has run the shop for 32 years, and in March the building was one of several properties served with a compulsory purchase order.

Mrs Thompson added that there were no guarantees that they would be included in the new scheme.

She said: "Everybody keeps talking about what is going to be here, but nobody seems to know what's going to happen to us.

"Because we are one of the most long-standing businesses here, people in the town are coming to us and asking what is going to happen.

"It's like living in limbo where you don't know if you are going to have a business.

"We don't know what is going to happen to the area, so we don't know where to relocate the business or whether we are going to have any customers."

Last week, after several months, the Government Office for the North West returned the plans without objection.

Brian Daniel, principal planning officer, said a firm planning decision was now likely to be made within weeks.

He said: "To some extent we were in limbo ourselves, but we now expect a decision to be made fairly quickly.

"The application is for outline permission, and details will include an illustrative layout.

"If there are going to be substantial changes we will want them to go back for consultation."

Mr Daniel added that accommodation for existing business holders in the area was a matter between them and Thornfield.