delivery space on the bridge, replace railings with heritage bollards and provide informal crossing points.

The application, submitted this week by supermarket Sainsbury's and Derbyshire Dales District Council, shows a revised highway layout from initial plans unveiled last year for the centre of town site. The new scheme includes shared space – a controversial scheme which involves removing the current road markings and installing heritage lighting columns, planting trees and extending footpaths.

The plan, which was taken back to the drawing board last year after it met with opposition from residents and traders, will also see the roundabout moved slightly towards Bank Road, the controlled crossing removed from the bridge and a new area for delivery vehicles to unload.

Town and district councillor Sue Burfoot said: "I'm not very impressed with the plan. There's just not enough detail in it. We haven't had a delivery area before so I can't understand why we need one now. I wanted to see that as an area for some outdoor seating."

Mike Blair, owner of Peli Deli in Crown Square, said he supported plans for a delivery area but felt the space could be used for an outdoor cafe. He added: "If we had the chance to use it as a pavement cafe I would be very happy."

District council planning chief Dave Brooks said: "We are trying to deliver as much as we can and we have to do that with the constraints on the public highway. We hope people will comment and are interested to see what they have to say."

If approved the work is set to begin early next year. The plans are available to view at Matlock Town Hall, on Bank Road. Responses are requested by December 24. The plans are set to be determined by January.

Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership has awarded a grant of £500,000 to the project, Sainsbury's has contributed £472,000. The district and county councils will provide the rest.