THE ink on the latest plans for the old college site was barely dry before the complaints began.

The designs are on display at Swindon’s Central Library until tomorrow, and will then be moved to the Civic Offices.

They provoked a mixture of anger and delight among the residents of Prospect Hill over the weekend.

And although there were many who were pleased with the idea that the “eyesore” they have been living with for years could be replaced with a cinema/ restaurant complex, others were more sceptical as to whether the plans would ever go ahead.

Still others were concerned about the prospect of their narrow residential streets being used by drunks as a thoroughfare from the town centre into Old Town.

Toby Robson, a securities consultant from Prospect HIll, complained of being awoken twice a week by revellers’ noise.

He said: “We have been waiting a long time for it to be redeveloped and after a lot of failed promises it looks like it could finally go ahead.

“And although people are pleased that the tower is no longer included in the plans, I think many are concerned about the increased noise through this neighbourhood.

“This street will become the logical route to Old Town for anyone on a night out.

“Even as it is now I am often awoken by drunken louts kicking over bins or recycling boxes.

“I can only imagine what will happen if people begin using this as a thoroughfare up to Old Town.“ He added that he was promoting a plan in which the site would lock its gates between 5pm and 9am – a similar arrangement to what the college used to do.

Neighbour Julie Eldon also claimed the proposed development could attract more noise from late night revellers. However, others were pleased with the plans.

Andy Marcer, landlord of the Beehive, said he thought they would be great for the neighbourhood.

He added: “I like the looks of it. I think rather than attract negative aspects it could cut down on petty vandalism because CCTV will be installed everywhere.”

Daniela Federici, 23, a shop manager from Prospect Hill, said she thought the development was a good idea because it would boost the area’s house prices.

James Digby, director of Ashfield Land, the complex’s designers, said: “We are slightly confused because one of the purposes of this plan was to link Old Town with the town centre. We don’t want to cut it off.

“It’s going to be a family orientated restaurant and cinema. It’s not a scheme with bars.

“Because of its quality, it will also be appropriately managed on site to prevent these problems.”

A spokesman for the company added that a planning application was to be submitted by the end of May.