REVISED plans for a retirement complex at Wareham's former Cottees Auctions site are set to go on show next week.

Developers Renaissance Retirement, who pulled its previous application for 27 apartments at the site in May, now wants to build 10 retirement cottages and chalets instead.

The company's associate planning director Simon McFarlane said: "We have listened to feedback from local residents and council officers and spent the last few months redesigning our proposals.

"We feel that the reduced proposal of 10 retirement houses is an attractive development in keeping with the character of the conservation area."

Renaissance Retirement is the company behind the Fleur-de-Lis flats, built at the former council car park site between Pound Lane and West Street.

They submitted official plans to Purbeck District Council (PDC) to demolish and redevelop the Cottees East Street site into 21 sheltered apartments for the elderly and six affordable flats earlier this year.

However, neighbours and local residents protested at the size of the development and argued it was 'out of keeping' with the area.

On the latest plans - which are set to be showcased at a public consultation event in the town's Corn Exchange on Tuesday (OCT 10) - Mr McFarlane said: "Given these plans present a different approach to the site’s redevelopment, we’re keen to hear what residents and local representatives have to say about them at our public exhibition."

Cottees Auctions of Wareham moved into new premises in Poole towards the end of 2015, ending an auction tradition at the East Street site dating back to the beginning of the 20th century.

In 1926 Samual Cottee bought Chichester House in East Street which had previously been a school. He resold the house and much of the garden, retaining the site where the former auction house is now, but his main office remained at North Street.

The present large buildings were built at this time which were used for the selling of cattle and produce.

Cattle continued to be sold at the site during up until 1954, when the regulations were changed and many animals were taken to bigger markets, but cattle markets were still held about five times a year at Wareham.

Over the years the auction house continued to grow and develop. It was renamed Cottees in the 1980s.

The plans will be on show at Wareham Corn Exchange, North Street, on October 10, from 4-7pm.