Wilson Bowden Developments has emerged as the preferred developer for the £100m redevelopment of Rochdale town centre in Greater Manchester after beating Ask Developments to the scheme.

Rochdale council confirmed WIlson Bowden's selection at a private meeting of its scrutiny committee on Thursday night.

The developer was originally selected as preferrred bidder at a secret council meeting on February 11 but the decision was 'called in' by the council's scrutiny committee. Sources said the call-in was triggered by a fear among some councillors that WB could struggle to deliver the project because of its commitment to several other schemes in the area. They include the 420-acre Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale, a 400,000 sq ft retail development in Macclesfield and the £20m redevelopment of Oldham Town Hall, where work has not yet begun.

WIlson Bowden's plans for Rochdale town centre include a Debenhams and Marks & Spencer-anchored 350,000 sq ft retail development, leisure units, a supermarket and 282 flats.

John Hudson, chief exec. of Rochdale Development Agency, said: "The selection of our private development partner is an important milestone. We look forward to working with the WB team to advance our plans to revitalise the town centre as a shopping and leisure location, but also as an attractive place to live and work."