HUNDREDS of people visited the Guildhall in Salisbury at the weekend to have a look at early plans for phase one of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Maltings and Central Car Park area of the city.

The developer, Stanhope, held the exhibition to gauge people’s opinions on their initial proposals for the car park area and to gather feedback ahead of drawing up a planning application, which is expected to be submitted next year.

Stanhope director Gary Bourne was at the exhibition on Sunday to talk to residents about their thoughts on the future of the site.

He said: “It went really well. It was exactly what we wanted in terms of public engagement with people who live in Salisbury. We held it on a Sunday and when the Christmas Fair was on so that people who work all week could come along and there would be plenty of people about, and the next exhibition will be on Tuesday, on market day.”

The plans are for an ‘anchor’ store on the car park site, along with further retails and leisure outlets such as restaurants and car parking.

The main issues raised by people attending on Sunday were concerns about car parking and transport.

Mr Bourne said: “There needs to be a city wide strategy that we all work together on and that will be what we are looking at in the new year.”

The aim of the development as a whole is to open up the area and created better links with the Market Place area of the city and to attract more shops.

Detailed plans will not be revealed until next year, when there will be more public consultation.

A second exhibition day will be held at the Guildhall tomorrow from 10am to 6pm