Plans to build 103 houses on the site of a disused dairy have been described as good news for house-hunters.

The proposal by Berkeley Homes would involve the construction of homes "for every income and age group" on the former Yoplait site at Elms Farm, Grove.

The development will consist mainly of one, two and three bedroom townhouses and apartments.

Social housing will account for 25 per cent of the development, which will also be a two-acre public open space.

The application to the Vale of White Horse District Council follows a separate proposal from developers Barratt to build 183 homes on another brownfield site in Wantage.

Architect and agent Bogdan Nedelkoff, of Wantage-based BHP Harwood Architects, said: "The development will provide much-needed housing, including subsidised houses for nurses, teachers and police officers."

Under Government guidelines, the Vale of White Horse District Council must allocate land for an additional 4,600 homes to be built by 2011.

Two unrelated developments, already earmarked for Grove, could see a further 1,000 homes being built.

Wantage Mayor Jenny Hannaby said: "We need to maximise as many brownfield sites as possible to relieve pressure on greenfield sites.

"It is a horrific thing to thrust on any rural community, but it is a no-win situation."