IT'S crunch time for the former St Ivel dairy factory in Wootton Bassett.

Next month, plans for re-development of the site are likely to be rubber-stamped by senior councillors at North Wiltshire District Council.

If approved, the plans, which have found favour with the planning committee, will be the blueprint for the site's future.

St Ivel was once the largest employer in the town. More than 200 people lost their jobs when the plant shut last year after a slump in the profits for its parent company Uniq.

Townspeople have taken a keen interest in the future of the site many wanting to retain employment space to ensure jobs stay in Wootton Bassett.

Mayor Marion Sweet said: "The town depends on the site for employment and I hope any future development will be sensitive to this need.

"It will be a different type from what we had before, not one company employing hundreds of people but smaller business.

"The plans show small offices, which will be suitable for hi-tech industry."

Another issue was the allocation of community facilities on the site.

Uniq had originally offered Station House, an office building, to the town council to use as new council chamber and meeting rooms. But a group of residents campaigned to convert the former Beaufort Brewery, a Grade II listed building, into an arts centre.

Initially, the landowner said it could not donate more than one building as that would reduce the amount of houses to be built.

A compromise was reached, with both buildings being transferred to the community.

The amount of employment land to the south of the site was reduced to provide additional housing and reflect extra employment created by the arts centre, which will be run by a trust.

The original plans were changed after a large public consultation more than 120 turned up to a public meeting held on the issue.

Green space on Brynards Hill has been protected and new houses along Station Road will only be two-storey in keeping with Victorian terraces opposite.

The amount of housing and the number of employment posts planned for the 27-acre site remains broadly similar with 340 houses and provision of 350 jobs

Paul Langcastor spokesman for North Wiltshire District Council, said developers have already expressed an interest in buying the site.

Bhavani Vadde