ONE hundred flats and new office blocks could be built on a prime town centre site opposite Bury Town Hall.

Council bosses are going into partnership with a private developer to transform green land at Townside Fields and its adjacent car park on Knowsley Street.

Built on the sloping land down to the Metrolink line, the scheme could be six storeys high or more. The "pyramids" on the other side of the tram line will remain untouched for the time being: but bosses hope the Townside project will persuade other companies to invest there too.

The local authority has so far declined to name the firm with which it will set up a joint venture company to handle the Townside scheme. But it is understood to be behind previous office and apartment developments, and also leisure facilities in Manchester city centre.

Councillors approved the company's formation at Wednesday's (Jan 14) executive, and will now complete contract negotiations. Subject to planning permission, work could start by the end of this year, with the whole project finished by 2007.

The council has already earmarked some of the office space for itself, moving in staff from other buildings when the leases expire.

Councillor John Byrne, council leader, said the venture company would have a management board comprising the council and the developers.

"The finance is provided by them, but we are involved with every stage," he said. "We could have sold the site outright, but we feel that by doing it this way we can have greater control over the quality of the development. We can either take any profits or leave them in the company.

"This is a key site. Hopefully this will create employment and give people the chance to live in the town centre, right next to the Metrolink and public transport."