MORE than 600 people have attended a public consultation on the most recent plans for the Old Manor Hospital site.

Formal planning applications for the final stages of the development have now been submitted to Wiltshire Council.

The developer, Quantum Group, bought the site on Wilton Road for £4.1 in 2014, 11 years after it was abandoned by the NHS. The council granted planning permission for the first phase of the plan in April last year.

The Bournemouth-based developer plans to build up to 200 assisted-living flats and houses for the over 55s on the six acre site along with shops and places to eat.

Phase two includes the conversion of Finch House, a grade II listed building, into 21 assisted-living apartments with landscaped gardens.

Phase three will involve building 19 new houses, 26 new apartments in two blocks, converting the on-site historic cottages and turning Avon House into four apartments.

The final phase will be to demolish redundant industrial units and replace them with a courtyard building of 51 assisted-living apartments at the laundry site, to the south east of the main site, accessed off Fountain Way.

Phase one of the plans included 71 assisted-living, extra-care flats, a 422sqm convenience store, a cafe and communal facilities.

Over 600 people attended a three-day public exhibition of the plans held at the White Hart last week.

Kate Greatrix, head of community engagement, said the firm had been "overwhelmed" by the "amazing response" to the plans.

"It has been humbling to see how passionate the people of Salisbury are about their local community – we had some fantastic feedback," she said.

Builders are now "actively working on site", she said.

"Sadly, these buildings have become very dilapidated, but we are going to give them some much needed tender loving care – along with the fountain - and at the same time create a vibrant retirement community which will bring many benefits to Salisbury."