TOWN leaders are pressing ahead with their long-term vision to regenerate Radcliffe.

They have formally adopted the "Re-inventing Radcliffe: Vision and Development Strategy" as a material planning consideration, which will determine how they judge planning applications in the town.

They have also agreed to carry out further surveys and research into people's wishes and concerns on a range of issues.

Radcliffe councillor Wayne Campbell told Bury Council's executive that this was a second chance to transform the town, following the earlier Radcliffe Regeneration project which had achieved only piecemeal success

His colleague, Coun Tim Chamberlain, said the plan looked well into the future but was realistic in terms of what could be achieved. But fellow Radcliffe councillor Tony Isherwood warned that it was vital that the necessary money was found.

The decision follows public consultation over a strategy produced by consultants URBED, where the majority of respondents agreed with the broader aims of the plan:

People supported new housing, but were concerned that this would increase traffic problems on already congested roads. The council is to do a further survey.

Officers will examine specific sites to see how to bring in employment rather than just new houses.

The town centre will need to focus on specialist shops, supported by new housing, as it is unable to compete with Bury or Bolton. A brief is being drawn up for the Kwik Save site, while the type of new market proposed will need to be reviewed following a "mixed" response from residents and traders.

Further talks will take place on the possible re-opening of Blackburn Street. Some think it will help local trade, but others say it will become a rat run.

There was strong support to replace the town's two high schools with a new one, probably on the East Lancs Paper Mill site. A project manager has been appointed to work on this.

People would like better quality things to do at night, but the council says it cannot force developers to build, for instance, a cinema. It hopes, though, that improvement of the riverside will help.

Many worried whether a museum would benefit Radcliffe. But the council thinks, from experience elsewhere, that cultural projects have a big impact. It would bring in visitors and link up with a number of museums across the borough. It would also bring in outside money.

And finally, many people were proud of the town and its history, but said it had a negative image. There will be talks with traders about producing a town centre guide and other marketing schemes.