A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to transform the town centre has formally been given outline planning permission by Bury Council.

The Rock Triangle will see a £150 million overhaul of the area bounded by The Rock, Rochdale Road, Moorgate retail park and the First Bus depot.

The plans will create 1,500 jobs and include 40 new shops, a large department store, a multiplex cinema, restaurants and cafes, a new medical centre, 100 flats, better transport and pedestrian links and 1,250 multi-storey car parking spaces.

Last month, the planning committee gave the green light to the plans subject to negotiations with bus company First Group plc and Scottish Widows, owners of the Mill Gate Centre.

At a meeting of the planning committee at Bury Town Hall on Tuesday, Geoff Chambers, First's planning advisor, said the company was happy with changes made to plans for the junction of a new road with Rochdale Road, but was still trying to resolve some issues with Thornfield Properties, the company behind the scheme.

A representative from Scottish Widows, David Smith, objected to the large scale of the development and expressed concerns about the negative impact it could have on existing retailers.

And while councillors passed the plan, the developers were told to continue discussions with the two companies.

The scheme will still have to be discussed by the Secretary of State before it is given the ultimate go-ahead.