A TOWN centre bus depot could be demolished to make way for a multi-million-pound super-market, creating 450 jobs.

Developers have tabled plans to knock down the First Bus depot at the junction of Rochdale Road and Derby Way and build a superstore and petrol station in its place.

But they are keeping tight-lipped about which company would move into the supermarket, which would occupy 10,499 square metres — roughly the size of one-and-a-half football pitches.

The supermarket would be open 24 hours a day except on Sunday when it would open for six hours.

It would create 350 full-time posts and 100 part-time posts.

Outline plans were submitted to Bury Council last week and a consultation period is under way, ending on August 2.

A First spokesman said: “We can confirm we have been in discussions with developers for a number of years now, but it is not within our gift to comment on any final use of the existing site.

“Our focus is, and has always been, on identifying an alternative site or sites for our operations and we are confident that we will do this in due course.

“There will be no adverse impact on jobs or the services we provide from our Bury depot.”

He added that First does not yet know where it would store its buses if the proposal becomes reality. According to a report sent from developers to the council, the site is made up of the First Bus depot and the Wallwork Heat Treatment Ltd site, both next to The Rock shopping centre.

A report says: “The (supermarket) would be “on stilts” with approx-imately 500 car parking spaces underneath and the petrol filling station to the south west of the site.

“All existing buildings on the site would be demolished.

“Access for customers travelling by car would be via Derby Way and Rochdale Road.

“While our clients remain in ongoing discussions with interested retailers, it is currently not possible to confirm the operator of the store.”

The applicants are First Bus and Morbaine, a commercial development firm whose website says it has “built up a substantial property portfolio, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and B&Q stores.”

Sainsbury’s and Tesco have both told the Bury Times they are not involved in the project.

The council is aiming to reach a decision on the submission by October 8.