The company hoping to convert the buildings at the former De Vere Hotel and Conference Centre at Cryers Hill sad it had a good turnout for the two day public consultation last week.

Around 160 people viewed the plans for the future development of the listed Victorian mansion and the terraces of apartment blocks designed in the early 1980s by the architect Edward (Ted) Cullinan.

This was the era when the 18 acre green belt site in Four Ashes Road was the headquarters of the Nationwide Building Society prior to its most recent transformation into hotel and conference centre.

The hotel closed last December since when the buildings have been mothballed waiting for the new owners to come up with a proposal.

No important existing buildings will be demolished at Uplands under the latest plan to create 52 homes – 11 houses and 41 apartments – from what is already there.

This week the new owner and architects were sifting through the feedback following the public consultation last Thursday and Friday.

Developer Fiorenzo Stocco, said: “I'd like to thank everyone who came and visited the exhibition on Thursday and Friday last week.

“Over the course of the two days about 160 people came to see our presentation and, with our project team on hand to listen to peoples’ comments and answer any questions, we feel the event was very successful in gathering people's views.

“Visitors were also invited to leave their comments in a comments box which we are now in the process of going through as we finalise our planning application.

“We look forward to keeping local residents updated over the course of the application process.”

Lead architect, Nick Bridges, added: “It’s always a bit nerve-wracking presenting your plans to the public for the first time but I am happy to say that people were very positive about our designs and plans so far for Uplands .

“People were pleased to see that we are retaining the listed buildings and the look and feel of Uplands will change very little to passers-by.

“People were also happy to see that there are plans to bring Uplands back into active use – which is after all the best way to preserve a listed building.

“We received some helpful comments on access to the site and potential impact on local services which we are taking on board and will help to improve our plans as we present them to the council.”

Mr Bridges’ architectural practice has a reputation for pulling the rabbit out of the hat when a planning solution needs to be found in sensitive and historic settings.

One of the projects they designed is the 137-bed Hilton Hotel on the Duke of Northumberland’s estate at Grade I listed Syon Park in Brentford.