Villagers and a wide range of organisations in Rossington - which was shortlisted in April as one of 15 regional sites for environmentally friendly ecotown status - are to be invited to see revised proposals for the development of around 5,000 homes mainly located on the brownfield former colliery site.

The new plans would mean no homes built in the greenbelt or flood zones.

The houses would be supported by community infrastructure including schools and medical services.

Arrangements are being finalised for a series of August and September meetings and exhibitions to which Rossington councillors, schools, local interest groups, residents and other groups will be invited.

The masterplan will also be on display at an exhibition to be held as part of the Rossington Carnival on August 25.

Original plans for an ecotown of up to 15,000 homes have been revised to take account of concern expressed by Rossington residents, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and the government's Ecotown Challenge Panel.

The new proposals, being promoted by UK Coal, include:

• A target of 5,000 new homes with two neighbourhood centres each with local shops, medical centre, and school

• n Some 12 acres of existing employment land within the ecotown plan to be retained.

• n A new public park including water features, sports facilities and recreation areas.

Under the revised plans, drawn up by Leeds based Planners and Masterplanners Spawforths, site owners UK Coal and other associates, housing will be located on 300 acres of the brownfield former Rossington colliery site and land forming part of Bankwood Estate. There would be more than 125 acres of proposed green space, 10 acres set aside for schools, five acres for retail and community use and over 30 acres for current and new employment development.

UK Coal chief executive Jon Lloyd said: "Our planning team has addressed all the significant issues raised since the initial proposals were short listed in April and have created a vision which is achievable, sustainable and embraces the existing community whilst meeting all the environmental objectives set by Government.

"We sincerely hope local people will welcome these proposals as they gain substantially from the provision of additional facilities, provided by a private and publicly funded partnership which will help regenerate and rejuvenate the existing community."

If the Rossington project gets the go-ahead, construction work could start on the early phases of the 425 acres scheme within about two years, with the ecotown completed by around 2030.

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