PLANS for a near 200 home development in Beith have moved forward.

Persimmon Homes revealed its proposals to the public late last month when it held a public consultation in the town - allowing locals to put their views forward.

Now, the developer has had an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening agreed for the planned site of the development - the field between Auldlea Gardens and Kings Road.

The site would also border Beith Cemetery at its south edge.

The proposal, if it were to go ahead as pitched at the consultation event, would see 195 homes built on the land.

Properties would be a mix of two, three and four-bedroomed homes of terraced, detatched and semi-detached style.

Persimmon say that areas of new/open green space would be provided throughout the development - including a large central area of open space.

The developer would also look to retain the existing watercourse and hedgegrows, alongisde new tree planting and landscaping which it says would "enhance biodiversity and the setting of the new homes".

The development would see one major change to the town's road network - with the site requiring a new roundabout on Kings Road to provide an entrance feature to the town and traffic calming.

Persimmon added that the creation of these new homes would "support local businesses and retail".

And while a number of locals welcomed the idea of the development and the benefits it would bring - some also had issues with the proposals.

One person said: "The traffic it will create getting on to the main road in the morning will be a lot to an already overloaded main road."

While another added: "People who say they'll spend in the town have no idea. The house purchasers won't. They'll stop at Braehead or Morrisons on their way back from work."

The request for an EIA screening on the site was agreed at the end of last month.

It is unclear, at this stage, when a full application for the proposal will be brought to the council for approval.