Families living on a new housing estate in Calne are celebrating the temporary withdrawal of a planning application that could increase the number of lorries going past their homes.

Residents at the Steeple Chase development, built by Redrow Homes in Sandpit Road, live next to Sands Farm Quarry, owned by Aggregate Industries UK Ltd.

The firm’s concrete products factory and stockyard on the site was mothballed in 2009 due to the economic downturn and planning permission for the plant has expired.

Last November Aggregate Industries applied for permission to produce concrete there until November 2022, but this application was withdrawn so a transport survey could be carried out.

At the time, families, who had just moved into their homes, were surprised to hear of the company’s intentions to revive the factory and transfer staff from its other operations in the South West to Calne.

They raised concerns about an increase in lorries driving past their homes and are now pleased this issue will be addressed by a transport survey.

Businesswoman Julie Musk, of Hastings Drive, said: “It’s quite right that they should do it and now the council is ready for them – it will be scrutinised and really looked at.

“At least we have raised the profile of it, because before then it could have just got through by stealth.

“To have that many lorries right next to where people are living is just ridiculous.”

John Penny, estates manager for Aggregate Industries UK, said: “We are undertaking a transport assessment, which will be submitted as part of the planning application, and we will be resubmitting at some time in the future.

“With any application like this we have got to address any issues or concerns that arise as part of the process.”

As well as the Steeple Chase development, permission has also been granted for the Hills Group to build 200 more houses on Oxford Road, meaning the area will become more residential in the future.

Residents have also received leaflets from planning consultancy group Pegasus outlining proposals for 125 homes, although no planning application has been submitted yet.

Wiltshire councillor Tony Trotman said: “I am glad they are reappraising the vehicle movements because I don’t think they realised there would be more people living in Sandpit Lane.

“We are very sensitive in Calne about traffic movements and this will affect residents.”