Work has officially started on the first phase of AskBury's exciting new £80m Townside scheme, which is set to be a major part of the regeneration of Bury town centre.

AskBury, the joint venture company created by Ask Developments and Bury Council began preliminary 'enabling' works on the scheme in November 2007 and has now completed the site levelling and diversion of services, as well as putting new road crossings in place, in order to prepare the site for this stunning development.

The first phase will include a 50,000 sq ft state-of-the art primary care centre for Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) as well as GP surgeries to replace those at Ribblesdale and Peel health centres. There will also be a 40,000 sq ft office block for Bury Council and a three-storey car park with around 400 spaces.

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Last month it was announced that Standard Life Investments' Long Lease Fund had forward funded the first phase for around £30m.

The whole scheme, located opposite Bury Town Hall, will transform this area of the Town Centre, with major public landscaping, including a proposed new pedestrian link from the site directly to the existing Metrolink platform also planned.

There will also be a 110-bedroom hotel and plans for a further office building of around 20,000 sq ft. Residential apartments are also part of future plans within a further phase, which will enhance the scheme - and planning permission for these are expected to be submitted in the Spring.

David Burkinshaw, Director at Ask Developments said: "The official work on the first phase will now begin and we are excited about the excellent building designs and the high-quality landscaping proposals which will be delivered. This reflects AskBury's aspirations to create a scheme of the highest quality which will make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the Borough."

(VB/JM)