AN firm of architects chosen to design the first phase of the £48million Baltic Wharf revival in Totnes is gearing up to hear the public's views.

Stride Treglown has been selected for the project by developers TQ Partnership.

A series of public consultations, including a live internet broadcast of key design workshops, is planned.

Architects will then start work on a detailed planning application for phase one of the 26-acre riverside development.

The architects will also be putting together a landscape wildlife and management plan. This will set the tone for the whole development including 12 acres of public recreation space.

Steve Mittler, from TQ9 Partnership, said: "It was clearly important to find a practice that had the right experience, capability and sustainability credentials.

"As part of the selection process, all shortlisted firms gave presentations to ourselves, our development partner Bloor Homes and to the community representatives on our consultation steering group.

"There was a high level of agreement about the best presentations from all parties.

"We then visited projects around the West Country to see examples of their work. Stride's work stood out head and shoulders above all others and we felt they had the best potential for a design led scheme that we could all be proud of."

Mr Mittler added: "Stride understands how important it is to us that local people are involved in the process and we're confident they'll interpret those views to create a fantastic design."

Baltic Wharf has outline planning permission for up to 190 homes, space for 300 jobs, a modernised boatyard and retirement village.

The site will also include a riverside plaza and around 12 acres of public open space.

Subject to planning permission, building work on phase one of the development could begin in around a year's time.

Rob Delius, who will lead the design and is head of department for sustainable design at Stride Treglown, said: "Baltic Wharf is so exciting because really there is nothing like it in the South West.

"We'll be working closely with local people to create a highly sustainable development that's sympathetic to its beautiful setting."

Drop-in sessions are being organised at Totnes United Free Church on Fore Street on February 17 and 18 to give local people a chance to give ideas and to comment on suggestions already put forward.

Internet users will be able to see people power in action with a live internet broadcast of a key workshop designed to shape the future of Baltic Wharf in Totnes.

Meanwhile, a wide range of stakeholders will be attending the invitation-only workshop on Thursday, February 9, which aims to identify issues of local importance regarding the riverside development.

Later on that day another workshop will be broadcast live on the web and will be available on www.livestream. com/dartmedia between 7pm and 9pm.

Results from all the consultation events will be used by the Baltic Wharf team when it draws up detailed designs for phase one of the scheme.

Mr Mittler said: "We have learned that genuine participation makes for a better scheme and want to make sure the consultation is as inclusive, accessible and interactive as possible.

"By having the live feed of the workshop, even those not taking part will be able to see what issues are cropping up in the debate and have the opportunity to comment themselves."

An edited copy of the workshop broadcast will be available at www.balticwharf.co.uk/revival