A NEW public square is at the heart of a £50 million development plan to expand Bury town centre.

Early plans for "The Rock Triangle" include a tree-lined public place surrounded by shops, flats and outdoor cafes.

A bingo hall could also be included in proposals to transform a 5.3 hectare slice of land between The Rock, Rochdale Road, Moorgate retail park and the town's First Bus depot.

Blueprints for consultation have been drawn up by Leeds-based Thornfield Properties in partnership with Bury Council.

The proposals include two blocks of three to four storeys on land facing The Rock's pedestrianised zone.

A passageway between the new buildings would lead to the public place, containing a fountain or sculpture and fronted with shops and pavement cafes. Apartments would be built above.

Larger two storey shopping developments are proposed nearer the bus depot, with first floor space for leisure spots.

They could include a bingo hall, a facility missing from the town centre at present.

The site would retain popular features such as the Bury United Reformed Church and Minden Medical Centre with its adjacent gardens.

Close to them would be short-stay outdoor car parking, with long stay multi-storey spaces available opposite Bury fire station.

Improvements are planned for The Rock's pedestrianised area.

Mr Howard Aitken, planning development manager with Bury Council, said: "This is a major opportunity to extend the town centre.

"The consistent theme coming from the community is that The Rock needs new life breathing into it.

"It would put a lot of new investment at the end of the pedestrianised Rock, that would create a huge incentive for businesses to give the area a lift."

Discussions are already taking place with firms in the area. Shops currently on the site could be incorporated into the new design or moved onto empty land on the opposite side of The Rock.

Other companies would be invited to relocate, with compulsory purchase a final resort.

Mr Aitken said: "If that is something that needs to be addressed then it is something that Thornfield would have to present to the council.

"We are a long way from that stage at the moment."

Residents and traders are invited to discuss the "Triangle" at a special meeting of Bury East area board next week.

The proposals will be the only item on the agenda at the meeting, which is on Thursday (Nov 7) in the Peel Room of Bury Town Hall, starting at 7pm.

Councillor Trevor Holt, chairman of Bury East area board, said: "These are very exciting proposals which would have a major impact on the town centre of Bury and its surrounding areas.

"We welcome views at this early stage to ensure that, as far as possible, these proposals develop in line with the views of local people."

Bury West area board will address the issue at its next meeting at 7pm on November 21 at Greenhill Primary School, Bury.