The long-empty site of the former Wheelhouse store, just off Hounslow High Street, could be turned into housing.

The family-run variety store in Bell Road closed in 2009 after more than half a century of trading.

The premises briefly reopened as Sunrise Plaza but have lain vacant for at least two years, since squatters were evicted.

However, the site was purchased this summer by A2Dominion and the housing association today said it was in talks with the council about how to develop the land.

Danny Lynch, A2 Dominion's regional development director for London, said: "We are working with Hounslow Borough Council to discuss an application for a mixed-use site at Bell Road in Hounslow, where we plan to provide brand new homes and commercial space.

"We hope to submit a planning application for the site later this year or in early 2015."

A2Dominion refused to go into further details at this stage about how many homes may be built on the site or what the commercial space might be used for.