MORE than 100 new homes could be built on the site of a former Habitat distribution unit in Wallingford, it has emerged.

Development company Lightwood Property has got in touch with South Oxfordshire District Council asking for its opinion on the plans for the Hithercroft industrial estate.

The company is looking to build up to 104 homes, a care home with 60 units and about 9,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Wallingford town councillor Lynda Atkins said: “This site does need to be used and I think it is suitable for housing. It’s a big site but I think this current proposal sounds like over-development.

“A new development will be right across the road from the new Morrisons store, so traffic congestion could be an issue.

“As part of the core strategy there is supposed to be a limit of 550 new homes being built in the town, but the new homes on the Habitat site would not be part of that total.

“Town councillors have been given a presentation on the plans and although I would not oppose them outright I do think they need refining.”

The site off Moreton Avenue was once home to a distribution centre for furniture store Habitat, but in June last year the chain’s owners announced they were putting it into administration.

Discussions are now ongoing between the developer and the district council.