Turley Associates held an exhibition this week to showcase their updated plans for the site, where they hope to build 24 houses in a mix of semis and terraces.

Various developers have over the years come up with a succession of schemes to try to build on the site.

A previous application for 48 apartments and 14 townhouses by developers Charles Church was thrown out by planners two years ago for being too tall and overbearing.

Another scheme by Wimpey was withdrawn after they failed to convince planners and the local community that it would blend into the surroundings.

This week's exhibition was an attempt to reassure local people that this latest scheme will complement its surroundings.

All the houses have integral garages and parking and developers say their design takes advantage of the slope in the site.

They add that views of the listed St John's Parish Church next door are maintained and that existing trees are retained "wherever possible" and are supplemented by new planting.

The exhibition was held yesterday (Thursday July 24) at St John's Parish Centre in Ranmoor Park Road from 4pm to 8pm.

Members of the developer's design team were on hand to explain the scheme and to answer any questions.

Forms were also provided for any feedback.

Former Bassetlaw MP Joe Ashton, who lives around the corner from the proposed development welcomed the change to family houses, rather than flats, which he said were more in keeping with the area.

He said: "It is a historic site. The former house of industrialist Mark Firth stood on the site, as did Mappin's. These people were the Sir Richard Bransons of the 1880s.

"We were never against buildings being put on this site, we just didn't want a six-storey tower block and parking problems in the area.

"This scheme looks a lot better. It looks as though our objections have worked. The public can win one or two."