BOSSES behind a multi-million pound housing and retail project on the Ushers brewery bottling plant have said it could be another 18-months before work gets under way.

A public inquiry will take place in May into Mystique's plans for the site after Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott called the application in.

Howard Crews, spokesman for Mystique, labelled it a "huge setback" and said work might not start until summer 2005.

"Everyone knows that the Ushers scheme is a fantastic opportunity to kick-start the much needed regeneration of Trowbridge, a town crying out for investment," he said.

"The scheme is ready to go ahead, and has been since June 26, 2003.

"The call-in procedure will inevitably lead to a delay of another 12-18 months before a final decision is secured and this is a huge setback for this town."

Mr Crews said the inquiry process had already cost west Wiltshire taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds, with the loss of grant money for more affordable homes.

He said the Ushers site would remain vacant and derelict until the process was completed.

Mystique and the district council are preparing their case to present to the Government-appointed inspector on May 18 with the inquiry set to last for five days.

Responding to rumours the Ushers redevelopment was scuppered by the unveiling of the Vision for Trowbridge framework, Mr Crews said: "We co-operated with the council over many months while the Vision was nurtured and it has always been clear that far from jeopardising the Vision, the Ushers scheme is the catalyst that will begin the whole rejuvenation process.

"This is why it was so very disappointing that the application was called in."

Mayor Glyn Bridges said he was happy to wait for 18 months to ensure the development was the right one for Trowbridge.

"We all want to see the place developed but my own personal view is that we don't want to see it developed at any cost," he said.

"What we don't want to see is sheds like we have up in Bradley Road.

"In this case I have no objections to something very modern but we do want something that is going to be lasting and will enhance the town centre."

A mix of shops and houses are in line for the former bottling plant in up-to-date plans.

District councillors approved the project in June but the application was referred to the Government Office of the South West because of its size.

cevry@newswilts.co.uk