THE delayed plans to redevelop the former Ushers site in Trowbridge have received an overwhelming vote of support from the public.

Ninety two per cent of people who visited an exhibition of the £25m scheme held on Friday and Saturday gave the proposal the thumbs up.

Paul Bench from developer Foinavon said: "This overwhelmingly positive response is a fantastic result.

"People really do care about what is happening to Trowbridge and appreciate the efforts we have made to take on board the comments about our first application, producing an even better scheme the second time around."

About 150 people came to view the plans and to discuss them with the developers and about 75 per cent of those took the time to fill out a comment sheet, mainly seeing the proposals in a positive light.

Mr Bench said: "It was particularly gratifying that such a high percentage of people who came along also took the time to write their comments.

"They have made it very clear to us that the overwhelming majority still wants this scheme to go ahead and without delay."

The application is for the bottling plant part of the site where the company hopes to build a total of 92 new homes, including 64 homes on the Union Street side and 28 apartments and townhouses on the British Row and Conigre side.

An application for permission to build on the brewery site has already been passed by West Wiltshire District Council but a previous application for the former bottling plant was turned down on the grounds of design and the effect on neighbouring properties.

The plans for the 8.5-acre site also include shops, a family restaurant and a large car park.

Foinavon has addressed the issues raised by the district council by changing the position of the new homes planned for the site in relation to retail servicing areas and it is now hoped that the application will go before an area committee next month.

Development could be completed within 15 months and the company has pledged a £92,000 commitment towards education and £100,000 towards roadworks as well as a commitment to provide open, green spaces.

The Reading-based firm is appealing against the decision of the council on its first application and could lodge an appeal against the latest application on the grounds of non-determination within the statutory eight weeks.