Ref. 28943-10Hundreds of Swindonians have been putting their thinking caps on to come up with a suitable name for a new housing development.

A 500-home estate will be built at the site formerly occupied by The Princess Margaret Hospital, in Okus.

And developer Bloor Homes has been asking for names for the new complex. The shortlist for the Name Your Place competition is: Princess Margaret's Heights, Angel Ridge, Nightingales, Margaret Rose Heights and Okus Heights.

People have until April 2 to vote for their favourite suggestion by calling 01793 513626.

Bloor Homes' regional sales manager Lorraine Palmer said she was delighted with the response.

"It's a true testament to the pride Swindonians take in their town," she said.

"It was a bittersweet day for us all when PMH finally closed its doors. However, the site can look forward to a housing development that blends quality housing, beautiful surroundings and a respect for the location's proud heritage.

"What better tribute to this much loved and missed Swindon landmark?"

The development will range from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom homes.

The hospital's foundation stone, which was laid by Princess Margaret in May 1957, is expected to take centre stage in the development.

Sales will begin during the late summer and the first residents are expected to be in early next year.

The hospital closed at 7am on December 3, 2002. At first it seemed the building would remain an empty shell due to several phone masts which were sited on top of it.

Long-term contracts with a number of mobile phone companies, drawn up long before plans for a new hospital were mooted, meant Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust was legally obliged to provide relay stations for the firms.

The problem was resolved by putting temporary masts on the site and work to raze the building to the ground began in February.

Construction of the new homes is due to start in June.

This week Swindon Council's planning committee deferred giving permission for 349 homes on Okus industrial estate, near the former hospital site, for the second time, because they want builders Fairview New Homes to provide more money towards education in the town. The plans will be before the committee again next month.

Alex Emery