STRONG views were brought out by the first day of a week-long exhibition of plans for a 1,674-home development in Hamworthy.

The detailed display at Hamworthy Library was visited by a steady stream of people when it opened yesterday. They flocked to read a series of display boards and quiz David Harrison, an architect from John Thompson & Partners, the firm which has helped work up the scheme.

It is the third application by developer and landowner J J Gallagher for the 13-hectare former power station site - the first two were withdrawn.

If it gets the go-ahead the estimated £800 million project will include 4,000 sq metres of housing, shops and leisure facilities, and provide the link road for the iconic Twin Sails Bridge project.

Many residents who attended the exhibition were also at the community planning day held by Gallagher in 2004.

Since then the proposed maritime centre and marina has fallen by the wayside, and new additions include a 15 story "landmark" tower which would sit next to the new lifting bridge. The changes have not proved popular with everyone.

"We went to the public meeting," said David Taylor of St Michael's Close. "We were thought it was going to be quite low rise. I'm disappointed to see flats up to 15 storeys."

His wife Moira added: "The maritime centre seemed like a good idea, and now we're told that can't happen. If this goes ahead it will ruin Hamworthy. They are not listening to the locals - and we were so excited at the beginning."

Architect Mr Harrison said: "There has been a mixed response. There have been concerns as to whether there should or shouldn't be a lifting bridge. Some people have been very supportive."

He added: "The primary concern is probably traffic, and the number of units is a concern."

He said comment slips returned by residents at the library would be fed back to Gallagher.

The exhibition continues until Friday October 26. It will not be manned again until the last day.