Villagers in Studley are celebrating after Wiltshire Council's North Area Planning Committee voted to object to a planning application for 28 houses.

In a packed council chamber in Monkton Park, Chippenham, there was a round of applause as Coun Christine Crisp’s objection to the application was passed by a narrow margin.

The objection passed despite the fact that the application for 28 houses on the former Blounts Court Nursery site on Studley Lane had been recommended for approval subject to planning conditions.

Janet Robbins, who lives on Studley Corner and is a member of the action group opposing the plans, said: “I think one of the things the councillors acknowledged was that our campaign was a very effective one and, if you like, it was done with great integrity.

“We were very clear about what our objectives were and we had well over 90 per cent of the village supporting us.

“It has brought the Studley village together in a really positive way. People have been brilliantly sensible, intelligent and understanding.

“It’s been brilliant; we have a community which is much stronger now.”

The brownfield site already had planning permission for a commercial garden centre from 2004 but access for future residents to amenities on the other side of the A4 worried councillors.