THE battle to transform Whitefield town centre has turned into a "store wars" after developers David McLean Homes TREBLED the size of their proposed supermarket.

The company has submitted a planning application to Bury Council for a 36,000 sq ft Tesco, a 7,700 sq ft cafe, several retail units, incorporating bars or restaurants and shops, plus 84 apartments. It will also create 217 car parking spaces for supermarket users and 69 residential spaces.

The amended scheme has been revealed in the week around 200 people crammed into Whitefield Methodist Church for a public meeting on the development plans for Whitefield town centre.

They heard Mark Dransfield, managing director of Dransfield Properties which wants to build a Morrisons store, vow to fight any resistance to his plans.

He told the audience on Tuesday night (Feb 24) that he believed Bury Council would reject his application at the next planning meeting on March 9.

One resident, echoing the stance of many, called out: "Mr Dransfield, please don't give up!"

She urged local councillors to listen to the people of Whitefield, adding: "We feel passionately about having a Morrisons."

Mr Dransfield said: "There has been an abundance of obstacles we have had to deal with, but we believe the application complies fully with national planning guidelines.

"However, I believe our application will be recommended for refusal. If that is the case then we will go to appeal but it could set back the development a year. If we get approval for the scheme and the council agrees to sell us their land, then it is game, set and match!"

Mr Dransfield was speaking in response to a document circulated to the audience by chief planning officer, Mr Brian Daniel.

The document sets out planning principles for Whitefield town centre which are based on requirements of the Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

The principles state that any retailing developments should have a mix of food and non-food shops, a range of shop sizes, a supermarket big enough to help revitalise the town centre, but not a supermarket so big it draws trade away from other areas.

Dransfield Properties argue that to build a Morrisons store any smaller than they are proposing would not be commercially viable.

Mr Dransfield acknowledged the problems facing residents who are to lose their homes if his plan goes ahead, but said they had been offered either alternative accommodation in new bungalows proposed for Mather Avenue, or a 20-year interest free loan to enable them to move elsewhere.

Mr Dransfield said: "We have never had, in 15 years experience, this level of support for a scheme."

David McLean Homes had no representative at Tuesday's meeting.

But following news of their revised application, spokesman Andrew Ford said: "We have listened extensively to the views of local people regarding this site to develop a comprehensive planning application that takes all considerations into account. We have increased the original size of the supermarket three-fold as this was one of the main points residents made, to provide them with a medium but attractive sized foodstore.

"This combined with smaller retail units, plus food and drink outlets together with significant residential elements on the upper floors will create a highly attractive focal point within the centre and bring back a much needed identity to Whitefield."

Mr Ford said the proposals will not result in the demolition of homes in Elms Road and junction improvements at Stanley Road would ease traffic flow in Bury New Road.

David McLean Homes say it will make a presentation of the plans to the community within the next month.

Bury Council planning department said the application would not be presented to the planning control committee before April 13.

As a result of the expected high level of interest in Dransfield's application, the planning control committee on Tuesday, March 9, to discuss its fate will start at 6pm at the town hall, Bury.