An appeal over plans to demolish industrial buildings and build nine homes in Heddington has been rejected by a Government inspector.

Outline permission for the homes was passed, but one of the conditions was that details of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale be approved by Wiltshire Council.

The council rejected the full application for three main reasons: the effect on the character and appearance of the area, the effect on living conditions of occupants of Cromwell House and Coach House, and changes to the status of a Heddington footpath meant outline planning permission could no longer be implemented.

The inspector, Michael Lowe, concluded the development would conflict with the North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011, which aims to ensure developments respect local character and distinctiveness.

He added that the proposal would result in substantial harm to the living conditions of the two houses. He did rule in applicant Andrew Flitwick’s favour over the path