EASTLEIGH civic chiefs will tonight study a blueprint for the redevelopment of Hedge End's Wildern Mill.

Just over three months ago more than 200 residents cheered after councillors voted to throw out plans for 251 flats - including an 11-storey tower block.

Too big, too ugly, out of character and more suited to a city centre was the verdict on the scheme which would have seen five blocks of flats - ranging between four and 11 storeys - built on the five-acre site off Charles Watts Way.

Following refusal of the planning application a consultation draft brief was prepared by the council following talks with local community groups.

Tonight, borough councillors will be asked to formally adopt the blueprint to guide the way the site can best be developed for homes. Councillors will be told that the borough has accepted the principle of residential development on the site but now needs to determine the most appropriate form of housing.

The blueprint reflects locals' views that there is a need to limit the height of the building and councillors will be told that the prospective developer and owners of the site have given a generally positive response to the brief.

But they have expressed a "significant concern" about the viability of the scheme if it does not comprise entirely of flats.

Borough planners say that while the brief has been amended to make reference to the viability of the scheme, it still seeks a mix of flats and other types of housing on the site.

Serina Ramos, chairman of the Turnpike Action Group and Residents' Association said: "I suppose what we are hoping for is that the final document will be totally acceptable both to the developers and the residents."

She added: "The developers seem to be unwilling to look at it as a mix of flats and houses.

Bellway Homes Wessex has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against the refusal of the original tower block scheme.