Plans for the £7m redevelopment of the derelict Peter Black toiletries factory site in Trowbridge took another step forward this week, with Marks & Spencer rumoured to be the major food retailer due to anchor the project.

Property consultancy JLL has submitted pre-application inquiry to Wiltshire Council to transform the land at Cradle Bridge, which has been vacant for many years.

The inquiry has been submitted on behalf of landowners MRMU and King Developments Ltd ahead of a public consultation event on October 30.

As well as the major food retailer, the scheme will include a further three retail units, with another set to become a pub. It will also include around 150 parking spaces and a new footbridge across the River Biss to link it with St Stephen’s Place Leisure Park.

Trowbridge Area Board chairman Graham Payne said: “I am particularly pleased that after three years of the area board and myself banging on about this site we are finally getting some forward progress.

“I hope the public exhibition will result in a planning application being submitted. Once that is done and with work on the Bowyers site expected to start properly soon, things are really starting to look up for Trowbridge.

“It is one of the last remaining derelict sites in the town and it is an eyesore. Trowbridge is quickly becoming a destination of choice and this will bring a further economic boost.

“The most important thing is to get this town back to the high levels of prosperity it has previously seen and anything that increases the job market in Trowbridge is a good thing.”

The proposals will be available to view at a public exhibition to be held between 2pm and 8pm on October 30 at the Trowbridge Civic Centre.

Anyone is welcome to come along and comment on the proposals prior to the submission of a formal planning application to Wiltshire Council, which it is hoped will be soon after the exhibition.

Ben Ponting, senior planner at JLL in Bristol, said: “These exciting plans promise to transform a former factory that has been empty for many years into a lively hub of retail and leisure activity, bringing with it associated jobs and an economic boost to the area.

“It is very encouraging to see redevelopments such as this one taking place in the region and can be seen as an illustration of improving business confidence generally.”