Change of plan would mean Brand new look

Dransfield Properties, the company behind the proposed Morrisons supermarket, has submitted a fresh application which would totally change the look of the town.

The move follows news that Dransfield has bought the Brand Centre site, which forms a significant part of any proposed development.

The firm has not been put off by an alternative plan for houses and shops, submitted by David McLean Homes, which the council has previously agreed to "in principle".

The new Dransfield plans will feature:

Relocation of the Cafe Roma to the corner of Elms Street and Bury New Road, adjacent to Whitefield Methodist Church.

Change of vehicular access from Stanley Road to Bury New Road.

The addition of a clock tower with pedestrian archway at the junction of Stanley Road and Bury New Road.

Additional landscaping to create a tree-lined boulevard along Bury New Road and Elms Street.

The 74,000 sq ft supermarket would remain the same size, but architects have included a glazed canopy at the front of the store to enhance the view from Bury New Road.

Pedestrian links throughout the scheme have also been improved following comments from residents and input from the council's urban designers.

Mark Dransfield, managing director of Dransfield Properties Ltd, said: "We have had an enormous amount of support for our development from members of the public, but some issues were raised, particularly in relation to the pedestrian access, which we felt were important to address in the modified application."

Mr Dransfield said it was also felt that the original plan did not provide a significant landmark building for Cafe Roma and added: "We know that Cafe Roma is an extremely popular delicatessen and restaurant and we are sure this attractive and much larger building will go from strength to strength."

Dransfield are poised to submit a separate application within the next two weeks to address the loss of houses in Elms Road.