DRANSFIELD Properties have vowed they will not give up on Whitefield.

The Barnsley-based company want to build a modern Morrison's supermarket on the site of the Brand Centre and are hoping to submit a formal planning application to Bury Council within the next two weeks.

Councillors said they favoured a mixed-use development by Crosby Homes over the plans put forward by Dransfield.

But Dransfield have hit back at the news and say they have been working on rejuvenating Whitefield for more than two years.

Bury-based agent Paul Nolan said: "We were very disappointed to hear of the council's decision. We have been working on our plans for two and a half years and another company comes in at the last minute. We are certainly not giving up on it. Dransfield have gone about things the right way. We have worked closely with the council and believe this is the right plan for the area."

Mr Nolan said Dransfield are in the process of acquiring the land needed for their proposal and have already purchased some houses to the rear of the site.

They propose to build a 75,000 foot Morrison's store on the Brand Centre site, which was a former Safeway supermarket, and adjacent car parking.

Roma Delicatessen will be relocated to the front of the development, not too far from where it is presently located.

Mr Nolan added: "People shop for food every day and there is nowhere in Whitefield at the moment where they can buy a bottle of milk. A town as prosperous as Whitefield should have better than a discount foodstore and a block of flats, which is what they will get with this alternative plan."