SLOW progress over plans for the redevelopment of the derelict Ushers brewery site in Trowbridge has left townspeople worried it may never be developed.

Multi-million pound plans for 111 homes, seven stores and a leisure outlet on the former brewery and bottling site were submitted by developer Foinavon in October.

They are now not due to appear before district councillors for a decision until September.

Some councillors feared the plans would be rejected by council officers before they had the chance to put their views and they have criticised the delays.

Conservative district councillors Graham Payne and Tony Moore have said they are gravely concerned and Cllr Payne has called for council leader Bob Brice and development portfolio holder Jeff Osborn to resign.

Cllr Payne said: "It is important that all decisions are made by elected members, with maximum public debate in a democratic manner.

"The way this application has been handled so far suggests a privileged minority of Lib Dems are becoming too close to the officers they should be controlling."

Cllr Osborn said he could not comment on the details of the Foinavon plan and would not resign over such a matter. He said the application would be decided by committee.

He commented: "As people will know from my time as mayor, I am 150 per cent committed to the revitalisation of Trowbridge town centre. I want to get some big name leisure and retail outlets in the town.

"If I ever did resign, it would be over a much more fundamentally political matter."

A spokesman for Foinavon said the delays had been frustrating but the firm is committed to getting the site redeveloped.

He said: "We are trying to make things happen in Trowbridge and have a lot of retailer interest." Town councillor Steve Squires is worried people in the town are not being heard.

He said: "If this is the case, then I believe the people of Trowbridge must call for the right to be heard and demand the plans are agreed so the centre of town can be regenerated and not left like the old bus station, as a rat-infested fly-tipping ground."

Developer Foinavon has worked closely with the district council's planners and conservation officers to produce a plan for the redundant site.

Some people think the council's Vision for Trowbridge exercise has overshadowed the new development.

Cllr Payne said: "It is far better to consider a scheme that is in the planning arena rather than an aspiration which is in the vision stage of possibility."

District council spokesman, Louise Knox, said: "No report has been finalised and no recommendation has been made.

"Major developments like this always take a period of time."