A RIVERSIDE promenade, terraced lawn and a rich variety of trees and shrubs is to replace the site once occupied by a derelict shopping centre.

Planning bosses have given full planning permission for a riverside park and new car park right in the centre of Radcliffe.

Designed by Bury Council architect Nick Atherton, work on the land once occupied by the One Stop shopping centre is expected to begin in October. The chairman of Radcliffe Area Board, Coun Barry Briggs, said: "It will greatly improve the look of the town and the car park will attract more customers to the shops and help support the regeneration of the Stand Lane area. Shopkeepers are very much in favour of it and it has encouraged them to seek grants to improve their shop fronts and the flats above."

It was the people of Radcliffe who decided on the scheme following a public consultation last summer.

Rejected options for the land at the junction of Stand Lane and Millbank included a picnic area, a skateboard track and a play area.

Contractors moved in in November to demolish the eyesore and the site is now completely cleared.

The landscaped area will link up with the Lock Keeper pub and Wacky Warehouse to complete the regeneration of the centre.

Besides the 23-space car park there will be seating, plant beds and a wide variety of trees and shrubs.

Mr Atherton said: "The focal art feature will consist of six stone spheres, reflecting the six towns of the borough and will be linked by a blue band to represent the river.