DEVELOPERS are pleased by the response they’ve received to proposals to build new homes on the former Bampton Brothers site.

Hunter Page Planning wants to put 61 properties on the land, in Stratton Road, Stratton St Margaret, where the former vehicle body repair company was based before closing down in 2003.

Last week, the developer held a public consultation asking for feedback on their plans.

Ben Read, associate planner at Hunter Page Planning, said: “Generally, it was rather positive. We had around 30 people and I spoke about the plans.

“The general feeling was that a residential development would be appropriate on this former commercial site, which has been redundant for many years.

“We had a number of comments about the layout. Again, this was something which was well received by the majority of people but there were concerns about how it will affect existing properties, which is something we will look at.”

Bampton Brothers were based at the site for 70 years and previously there had been a number of proposals to build homes on the land.

None of these plans, which would have seen upwards of 70 homes built, have come to fruition.

Ben said: “We are looking to have 61 dwellings on the site, which I think the public feel is appropriate as it will fit without everything being cramped.

“The next stage of the process will be for us to review all the comments from the public consultation, review the scheme, make changes where appropriate and then submit an outline planning application.”

During the time that the Bampton Brothers site has stood derelict it has been targeted by vandals. Significant damage has been done to the disused buildings and in 2006 vandals started a fire on a former workshop on the land.