Residents were given a first look at four possible plans for the redevelopment of the former council offices in North Quay at a public consultation yesterday.

Magna Housing, the housing association behind the project, unveiled four initial design options to show “what could be possible”, and invited people to give feedback on the proposals.

The borough council announced it had teamed up with Magna in December, after months of waiting to hear what would happen to the site after Acorn South’s vision failed to progress.

Magna’s offer to Weymouth is to spend more than £20 million to buy the land and build affordable homes for the town.

The new plans include demolishing the offices and building around 75 homes for families, couples and single people, including affordable housing, and around 50 homes for older people.

David Aldwinckle, property director at Magna Housing, said: “These plans make the harbour far more attractive and welcoming.

“We want to build housing that people would like to live in and think is attractive, and we want to make sure we provide the right amount of parking for people.

“Inevitably, in a scheme as large as this, you won’t be able to please everybody, but we want to get a mix of people living there. We don’t want all old people or all affordable housing

“We want to build something that Weymouth can be proud of.”

Magna has said it is considering archaeology, design, flood risk, parking and the road network in plans for this site.

The consultation stage on these initial proposals will continue until January 23 and developed plans will be presented to the public in the spring.

By the summer, Magna hopes to submit a planning application, seek confirmation of funding and complete the purchase of the site, which is currently owned by the borough council.

If you missed yesterday’s public consultation, there will be another one today between 10am and 4pm at the Crown Hotel on St Thomas Street in Weymouth.

Residents gave their views on the four initial design options.

Steve Laker, 67, said: “This is wonderful that everyone has the chance to say their thoughts. I like the plan with the historic road because it will tie in with the other properties and blend in. Hopefully when you look at North Quay from the harbour it will be like going back 300 years.”

Bob Russell, 78, said: “I’m totally against it. That is the only prime site left in Weymouth and it should be used exactly the same as the Harbour Lights development to bring money into the town and improve the class of building there. I think that site should have something far better.”

Rose Elliot, 54, said: “I think this public consultation is brilliant, but I do not like the idea of affordable housing going on what is a prime site in Weymouth, right by the harbour.

“I would put a row of townhouses and a mooring on the dock to get some people with money into the town. Weymouth is dying on its feet.”

Robbie Feltham, 67, said: “I think it’s a good idea, I hope it goes ahead and the affordable houses go to local people because for two people living together it is very hard to get on the property ladder.

“This is going to be a super spot to live but I think it will be exploited, the two-bedroom houses especially, by people renting out spare rooms on Airbnb and sites like that. This is a growing issue that is being overlooked.”