TWO hundred homes are being planned for the redundant Frythe site in Welwyn, which sits in the Green Belt.

The proposals, which were on display at the first of two public consultation meetings on Monday night, show how procedures are in place to transform the former GlaxoSmithKline research centre into a residential area.

The 47-acre site was bought by development company Lands Improvement for �15m in December 2010.

At the meeting held at St Mary’s Church, in Welwyn, the company revealed its plans to redevelop the 19th century Frythe building into flats, while demolishing the surrounding outbuildings to make room for 200 high quality dwellings, which would also include social housing.

If construction does go ahead Lands Improvement will try to keep the mixture of mature native and foreign species of trees on the site and will retain the current entrance off Digswell Hill.

There will also be an archaeological dig as the location has been marked as an Area of Archaeological Significance.

James Stone, of the development company, which hopes to submit a planning application by the end of October, said: “This is just the very first stage and at this point it’s all about feedback from locals. There are no fixed plans currently, so come down and tell us what you think.”

To have your say on the proposals and to see the layout visit New Church House, St Mary’s Church, on Saturday.

The consultation runs from 10am until 4pm.

The next round of consultations after this period will start around September.

Any building would be subject to planning permission.