DEVELOPERS spearheading a huge redevelopment of Bury town centre are so sure it will be a success they plan to extend it further.

Bosses from Thornfield Properties are already spending £330 million transforming the Rock Triangle and are due to open a health centre, shops, offices and 400 homes by 2010.

It is described as the biggest ongoing development in the UK, largely because the credit crunch has caused similar projects to be stalled or scrapped.

Together with the recent fall in house prices, a drop in spending at shops and a general slump in the economy, some critics doubted whether the town-centre regeneration scheme would work.

But Thornfield has again made a further visible confirmation of its commitment to the town.

The company has asked Bury Council for permission to add more homes to the scheme.

John Brooks, planning director for GVA Grimley, one of Thornfield’s partners, said: “The application site has the benefit of full planning permission as part of the wider Rock development scheme to which construction commended in July 2008.

“The application seeks to address changes in response to recent changes in the residential sales market.”

Thornfield wants to add nine apartments to the 284 already being built in part of the complex. Some of the apartments will have private roof terraces offering a panoramic view of the whole borough.

Mr Brooks added: “The number of walk-on balconies has been increased and juliet balconies have been added.”

When work is finished, there will also be a new Debenhams store, a Marks and Spencer shop, a Vue cinema and a ten-pin bowling outlet.