Rural property developer Brockhall Village hopes to build 91 homes with attached business units on the 16-acre derelict site.

A planning application from the company for 56 homes with office buildings at the bottom of the garden was first submitted in 2004.

But after objections from residents and Stratford District Council, it was refused following a seven-day public inquiry.

Napton district councillor Nigel Rock (Lid Dem) is working with the parish council to canvass residents' views on Brockhall's latest designs.

He said: "This is a very significant development for Napton whichever way you look at it - it would increase the size of the parish by about a quarter.

"It is therefore right that we make sure that everyone is informed and has a chance to make their views known.

"It's clear that the developer has taken note of a number of the comments made last time . But this application is still only outline, so we don't know what the final appearance of buildings might be."

The new application is for more dwellings, but instead of large, family homes they are in the form of blocks of three-storey flats.

It also includes eight industrial units, a business centre with 38 small office suites, ten holiday cottages, a further 18 residential units and the creation of a new canal basin with moorings.

Brockhall's previous plan was refused in 2006 on a number of grounds. The district council had earmarked the land for associated residential and business use, but the planning inspector said this was not properly reflected.

Its design and layout was also said to be "incongruous and intrusive" with the isolated rural surroundings

These issues appear to have been addressed but questions remain about how the new hamlet would relate to the rest of Napton.

Parish councillor Jim Sleight said: "We want to consult with everyone on this before the parish council submits its views.

"It seems to be a lot more development than was envisaged for this site and I'm concerned that it might become a separate community to the rest of Napton.

"There is also no evidence to support a business and residential development of this type being built here."