DOCTORS at Minden Medical Centre have withdrawn their objection to the multi-million pound redevelopment plans which will close the practice within two years.

The decision came during the final moments of the first day of a public inquiry into the development of The Rock Triangle, where a key area of Bury town centre will be transformed into retail, leisure and food outlets.

Representing Bury Council and developers Thornfield Properties, Malcolm Spence QC told the inquiry at Bury Town Hall on Tuesday: "This whole project is extremely well thought out. The quantitative need for more retail space is overwhelming and regeneration is manifestly necessary. It is plainly run down and largely useless. There is a need for improved shopping, improved pedestrian links and for overall improvement of the town."

Thornfield managing director, Andrew Sanderson, added: "The Rock Triangle will create a new gateway into the town centre and increase the town's vibrancy and vitality. Many of the stores you would expect to find in a town like Bury are not here and we are losing out to Manchester, Bolton and the Trafford Centre."

Minden Centre managers originally lodged an objection to the development after plans for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) aimed at the practices car park were extended to include the building.

However, after initially calling for the support of their 18,000 patients to protest, meetings were held between the centre, Thornfield, the council and Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT), to reach an agreement and the objection was formally withdrawn on Tuesday evening.

Doctors have agreed that, on confirmation of the CPO, ownership of the building will pass to Thornfield and the centre will be moved to another site in the immediate vicinity. Doctors expect to stay in the current location for up to two years.

After the inquiry, chairman of the Minden Medical Group, Dr Neil Joseph, said: "We see this as a win-win situation for all the parties concerned: a win for Bury Council, who will see this area of Bury developed to a high standard; a win for the PCT, who will be able to build a primary care resource centre in Bury; a win for Thornfield, who will be able to provide us with much-needed enhancement of a neglected part of the town; and a win for the patients of Minden, who will receive enhanced services."

The Rock Triangle development will see a department store, public square, retail, food and drink outlets, as well as residential properties, replace the existing site. Developers now own more than 80 per cent of the site, with three objections from the Equitable Charity Trust, LA Fitness Centre and Shell petrol station.

Representatives from the Equitable Charity Trust and Shell were present at the inquiry. The plans involve the petrol station, being moved further along Rochdale Road, and the demolition of the Equitable Charity Trust buildings, on The Rock, and replacing them with a more modern corner building.

Thornfield has joined forces with Mill Gate owners Westfield to plough money into major improvements on The Rock as part of a £150 million investment.

Construction is planned for next summer, with a completion date set for summer 2006 and the site open by the autumn.