The future of Slough's legendary Horlicks factory site is starting to take shape after councillors overwhelmingly approved plans for a mixed development that will see 1,300 new homes built in the town.

Members of the planning committee gave the go-ahead to plans by Berkeley Homes to demolish part of the factory and its outbuildings to make way for five new blocks ranging from one storey to 10.

A quarter of the new homes would count as affordable or shared housing and shops and restaurants will also be included in what was described by planning officer Paul Stimpson at the meeting as a 'new neighbourhood'.

The closure of the Horlicks factory last year ended 100 years of history that began in 1908 when the original building went up - it was later added to in 1929 and 1939.

The new development will retain the main body of the historic factory with new buildings designed to fit in as much as possible.

Despite general enthusiasm for the new scheme at this week's meeting Cllr Dexter Smith expressed disappointment at the lack of larger family homes in the plans. He also felt that parking space planned for residents was inadequate, describing it as 'shooting the council's previous parking standards to pieces'.

But Cllr Pavitar Mann felt that the council should be encouraging a 'modular shift' away from reliance on cars.

More detailed planning applications will be made covering other aspects of the planned development in future months.

Berkeley Homes have committed as part of a Section 106 agreement to make substantial financial contributions to education, parks and open spaces and road improvements across Slough.