DESIGNS including a piazza were unveiled at a presentation this week as Wycombe Marsh looks set for development.

Designs for a huge housing development at the former sewage works site in Bassetsbury Lane, were shown by the St James Group Ltd which hopes to build between 450 and 465 homes on the land.

Highlights of the new proposals include a piazza design leading into the primary entrance of the site from London Road.

It would be designed to resemble a paved town square and also act as a mini- roundabout into the site leading off to separate boulevards where homes would be built.

Sean Ellis, managing director for St James, said: "We have worked long and hard to come up with this proposal. We spent nine months assessing all the issues. I have a very good team who have put forward a very good set of proposals."

Other highlights include cycle and walking routes throughout the complex and a bus route with two bus stops. This would be to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home.

The complex will also have a variety of house designs giving the area individual character.

There would be four and five bedroomed homes with gardens and garages and one and two bedroomed flats with balconies overlooking hills at the rear.

Car parking for homeowners would be provided with some spaces allocated for visitors.

Trees, grass verges, and a permanent pond water-feature would form part of the landscaping as would two bridges spanning the River Wye.

There would also be two hectares of employment space.

On April 4, WDC's development control committee resolved to grant outlining planning permission to the St James Group.

The building firm is now hoping to get the go ahead to start work on the mixed-use development.

An application is expected to be submitted in the next few weeks by the group and, if approved, would enable the first stages of work to begin.

Since getting the green light for the outline application the St James Group has been meeting with council officers and key shareholders. They have regularly held workshops to re-examine and enhance the proposals in a bid to get the design scale, layout and appearance right for the application.

Mr Ellis added: "The proposals have evolved and the scheme has developed through a range of workshops with the council that follow the principles of the outline application."