A key £10m redevelopment project in the heart of Abingdon has been delayed by a raft of objec- tions.

The Vale of White Horse District Council wants to see 33 houses, 23 flats and offices created in the West Central Action Area.

Part of the project would see a training facility called the Foyer created to house and train young people. But concerns have been expressed about the scheme, and a public meeting is to be held on the Foyer project at a date yet to be fixed.

This means that the proposed starting date for construction is now likely to be delayed beyond the autumn.

Developers have been asked to go back to the drawing board after council officials said they were unhappy with the proposed design and layout of homes in the centre of the development.

But residents and Abingdon Town Council fear it will be a magnet for trouble and suggest it should be re-sited in Ock Street opposite The Square.

The Foyer will be managed by the Guinness Trust, a charitable housing group.

Spokesman Barbara Shaw said all applicants would be carefully selected and well managed and that there would be a warden living on site. She claimed local concerns were unfounded and that it was not feasible to move the building.

The town council is concerned because the street is on a route between a centre of pubs, night clubs and estates and could "become a crime generator."

Residents unhappy with the Foyer scheme gathered nearly 100 signatures on a petition organised by Glynis Carrol. She said: "We are pleased that the whole re-development project has been deferred but we still believe the Foyer is sited in the wrong place.