MAJOR Bridgwater business Gerber has submitted revised plans to build a housing development with fewer houses than before on its former factory site.

Gerber wants full planning permission to raze the Wembdon Road factory to build 216 houses, children's play area, new road infrastructure, open space and landscaping.

The 216 units will consist of 29 two-bedroom, 113 three-bedroom and 38 four or more bedroom houses, as well as 36 flats/maisonettes.

There are also 396 car parking spaces proposed.

The juice giant previously submitted to build 313 houses, but the district council denied the application in March 2009 due to a lack of affordable housing.

Gerber went back to the drawing board, and along with developer Taylor Wimpey (Bristol), submitted the fresh plans of fewer houses but crucially with 15 per cent of them as affordable housing.

A Gerber spokesman said: "Gerber Juice has all production at its new Express Park production facility, so the old factory is no longer used.

"This means we can develop an attractive scheme, which includes a good mix of housing, green open space, a play area and landscaping."

The company says it has extensively consulted local people on the type of development and what they want to see.

The spokesman added feedback has been largely positive.

Anyone wishing to comment on the plans can contact Sedgemoor up to September 10, as the earliest the authority can make a decision is September 11.