SALISBURY residents have given their response to the plan to build retirement homes on the site of the former Salisbury bus station.

After months of speculation about the future of the Endless Street bus station, which closed in January, Churchill Retirement Living has announced it wants to build 46 retirement properties on the brownfield site.

The plans were made public at an exhibition held at Salisbury Methodist Church last Wednesday.

According to Andrew Burgess, the planning director at Churchill Retirement Living, the day was a great success.

He said: “We are very pleased with the turnout. We have had about 80 people come here today.

“The general feeling of the people that have come here today is overwhelmingly positive.

“We are planning to put in the planning application in mid-October.”

Many local residents agreed that something needed to be built on the derelict site.

Sue Coquet, who lives nearby, said: “We are quite impressed with the general plans. There is definitely a need for more residential housing in the city centre. I like the way it is close to the city.”

Another resident Pam Perks added: “I’m generally in favour of the plans, I think the looks are in keeping with the design of the town.”

However some visitors to the exhibition voiced concerns about the lack of green space at the site and an inadequate number of car parking spaces.

Eddie Deighton said: “There is not enough parking with this development or enough green space.

“The city needs a better development than this, we should be doing something to help grow businesses in the city.”

Councillor Helena McKeown, the ward councillor for the area, said:“There is quite a strong view from the people I spoke to that something needs to be done because it is an eyesore but many people feel there is a need for affordable housing.

“Overall I think there is very much a mixed opinion about what to do with the site and I am still undecided about the development.”