COUNCILLORS claim the North Gate development in Devizes will have too many houses and not enough shops.

Some members of the Devizes Community Area Forum, which comprises town, parish, district and county councillors, expressed disappointment at its meeting on Monday at what they thought was a low level of retail space.

Kennet District Council announced earlier this month that it had chosen Bath-based developer Phoenicia Barr as its preferred developer for the site between Snuff Street and New Park Street. Phoenicia Barr is in the process of completing legal negotiations.

The scheme has stalled on two previous occasions, when it was led by other developers.

The Devizes Community Area Forum was told that although seven developers submitted bids to carry out the North Gate development, only Phoenicia Barr met the criteria set down by Kennet.

Devizes councillor Margaret Taylor said: "I am very disappointed that there is little mixed development use proposed on the site."

Worton councillor Lesley Hawes said: "People wanted mixed use development on this site and we need retail outlets, cafes, restaurants and hotels."

Ron Crook, Kennet's director of community services, said there is a minimum requirement for the developers to ensure there will be 1,000 square metres for retail use. He added: "We are not being overrun with shopkeepers wanting to come to Devizes."