Anger at the change of name of a historic site in Devizes has resulted in a partial climbdown by the developers.

The Minton Group, based in London, bought Offers Court sheltered housing complex, on the corner of Southbroom Road and Hare and Hounds Street, after it closed in 2011.

Gaiger Brothers, of Devizes, became joint developers with Minton two months ago and the building is being redeveloped into one and two-bedroom apartments called Roundway Court.

But there was criticism that the development, as well as not being in Roundway, has lost its connection with the Offer family, who ran a business at the site from 1879 to the 1970s.

The Offers were carpenters, wheelwrights and latterly undertakers. They made the famous Wiltshire wagon and also produced elaborate fairground showmen’s living wagons for the local Jennings and Edwards families.

Stephanie Cousins, a retired teacher living in Powys, Wales, and who is the last direct descendant of the Offer family, was angry that the Offer name had been lost from the site.

Mrs Cousins, 77, said: “I would like it to be retained as Offers. We have got Roundway Hospital estate. Why not keep something that’s different?”

Devizes historian John Girvan said: “I think it is very wrong that an outside developer should change an historic name like Offers Court and lose our heritage in this way.

“Our heritage should be respected and protected as part of the town’s past.”

Tony Duck, a former councillor in Devizes and retired newsagent, said: “Historically, this site would be known to locals as Offer’s Corner. To call it Roundway Court defies both geography and history.

“In order to catch even a fleeting glance of Roundway Hill from that building, a resident would have to lean a perilous distance out of an upper floor window.”

Town councillor Jane Burton was also outraged and raised it at a meeting of the planning committee on June 4. The council’s deputy town clerk, Simon Fisher, contacted Gaigers to pass on the concerns.

On Monday, Graham Gaiger, a director at Gaiger Brothers, told the Gazette the name was changed to Roundway Court before Gaigers became involved with the project.

However, after the concerns raised, he said it would no longer take that name.

He said Gaigers and Minton would come up with suggested names for the town council to comment on.

He said: “It won’t be called Roundway Court. The town council raised the point that Roundway parish is a different parish to Devizes. We will review the name. We have certainly got nothing against the Offer family.”