People are to be asked for their views about plans to build up to 147 homes and retail units on the grounds of a former factory.

The old HBC Engineering building in Power Station Road, Halfway, has been flattened by the landowner, property investment company TBH (Sheerness) Ltd.

The firm will be consulting residents before it submits its proposals to Swale council’s planning department.

A small exhibition is being held down the road from the plot at Sheerness Golf Club today (Thursday) and 300 handouts have been put through letter boxes in the area.

Director of TBH (Sheerness) Ltd Paul Graham said: “The demolition is moving on and we have been talking to the planning officers at Swale.

“We have got an outline for what we are planning – what is possible to site – which we think looks good.

“Nothing is set in stone at the moment and we are open to views from people before we put in a planning application.”

The proposals are to build mainly homes, a few flats and also some retail units.

Mr Graham said the commercial buildings are yet to be decided and could be used for anything from a convenience store or pharmacy to hair and nail salon.

HBC Engineering closed in December 2009 and the land went into the hands of administrators Grant Thornton.

Developer Citygrove Securities later purchased the site and had an application to build a Sainsbury’s there approved in January 2012.

However, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles intervened to prevent full permission. Sainsbury’s then pulled out.

Citygrove resubmitted the same application for a food store a year ago but it was turned down unanimously by Swale council’s planning committee due to its potential impact on Sheerness town centre.

Ownership then reverted back to Grant Thornton and property investment company TBH (Sheerness) Limited bought the site early this year.

The exhibition of its plans is taking place from 11am to 7pm.