DEVELOPERS have unveiled proposals for building scores of new homes on a major site in Eastleigh - once the home of the Caustons printing works.

The multi-million-pound development at Brookwood Road - one of the biggest in the south - will create a 21st century community within Eastleigh town centre.

It is just a stone's throw from the former Pirelli factory site in Leigh Road where work has already started on building about 665 new homes.

Even before the foundations were laid prospective buyers were signing up to become the first settlers on the 29-acre former Pirelli site.

The development at Brookwood Avenue is expected to trigger off a similar stampede from people keen to live in a strategic town centre location, near to motorway, rail and air links.

Councillors have already agreed in principle to development at the former Caustons site which has been the target for vandalism.

A special joint sub-committee will consider the full application to build 189 homes, roads and 273 car parking spaces.

There will be a mix of accommodation with the proposals including 119 one-, two- and three-bedroom flats in three- and four-storey blocks and 70 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses. The major scheme also includes social housing.

The flats would be built towards the centre of the site around a "village green".

It is also proposed to build houses fronting on to Brookwood Avenue and around the perimeter of the development site.

There will be a pedestrian route linking Brookwood Avenue to Toynbee School. Vehicle access to the development would be from Brookwood Avenue or Smythe Close.

The special joint committee will consider the application at a date to be arranged.