PLANS to transform the former Lucent technologies site in Malmesbury have had a positive response from the community, according to the developer behind the scheme.

North Wiltshire District Council rejected a proposal by Hunter Page Planning the agent acting on behalf of the landowner, the Minton Group last September.

At the time, district councillors felt the scheme carried a risk of flooding, would result in the loss of employment land and was outside the boundary for residential development.

But Hunter Page Planning has now altered its proposals.

After consultation with town and district councillors and local community groups, a new planning application is due to be submitted to the district council, at the beginning of February.

Paul Fong, managing director of Hunter Page Planning, said housing earmarked for public sector workers, improved bus and cycle links and youth facilities will be among the details in the new application.

He added the firm hopes to contribute towards an enhanced bus service for Malmesbury, a new cycle route along the old railway line, a skatepark and redeveloping the town hall.

Mr Fong said: "We have had a positive response from the community to our plans. This development would allow for a more self-contained community and we believe it is a sustainable form of development. It is a positive enhancement of that site where the buildings are currently in poor condition."

Mr Fong added that contributing to the town's facilities is a way of exercising social responsibility.

He said it is not intended to persuade the planners.

County and district councillor John Thomson who backed the earlier plan said: "Since the site is probably going to be developed it is better to work with the developer and try to influence the design.

"I have been pushing for a phased approach to the development so that the developer has an opportunity to prove it does work."

Malmesbury town councillor Ray Sanderson said he was in favour of the development in principle.