MULTI-million pound plans to transform Chippenham's historic cattle market site with 256 homes have finally been put forward to the district council.

Building giant Linden Homes wants planning permission to build on the 9.4 acre site on Cocklebury Road. If it gets the green light, it will be the first eco-friendly housing development in north Wiltshire.

Councillor Philip Alnatt said: "I am delighted that we are helping to save the planet. It is all about insisting on high-quality housing, not rubbish like you get in other towns.

"The downside is that we still haven't got the link road out of Monkton Park and I'm also concerned about the significant impact the construction works will have in the area."

North Wiltshire District Council made over £8m by selling part of the land for housing and the rest to Wiltshire County Council for the history centre.

The new estate will have a mix of housing and will include affordable homes offered by Sovereign Housing Association.

It will feature a bio-retention scheme that stores surface water, a means of creating sustainable draining for water, which goes towards a green space, ponds, reed beds or planting schemes rather than into storm drains.

Toby Ballard, managing director of Linden Homes Western said: "We take the issue of sustainability very seriously and I believe that these proposals will deliver the very highest eco-homes standards, which will provide an exemplary quality development for Chippenham and beyond."

In May last year a master plan for the whole Cocklebury Road area was drawn up showing how various sites would be given over to housing and employment use, including the Hartwell and ATS sites and parts of Wiltshire College. Land was also set aside for a new access road across the railway and a flyover.

Residents have until May 18 to voice their opinions on the plans. A decision on the application is expected in June.