PLANS to develop a former brewery site in Trowbridge got a positive, but cautious, welcome at a meeting of the council's town development committee on Tuesday.

Councillors unanimously applauded the application by developers Foinavon and Mystique, to convert the brewery into 47 new homes.

Town clerk, Doug Ross, said: "The plan for development of the old brewery site is wonderful and very imaginative."

The idea of turning the old bottling plant into 64 homes and a shopping centre was also welcomed, but councillors objected to the design of the retail buildings, which have been likened to huts.

Cllr Bob Brice said: " I wonder about the sheds, I don't like the look of them. They will be facing on to one of the roads through the town and we should ask that they be treated in brick to match buildings there."

Cllr Jeff Osborn said: "Big-name retailers want plenty of floor space and they want it uncluttered. These are not sheds."

It was also hoped that during negotiations with the developers it will be possible to get changes to improve traffic flow through the town.

Cllr Osborn said: "What we have got to get the developer to do is make some obligation to improve the traffic in Trowbridge which will impact on the town in years to come."

The developers hope to start work on the site next spring, with shops due to be opened before Christmas next year or by Spring 2003.