CAMPAIGNERS who fought plans for more homes in Melksham are celebrating after planning permission was refused by Wiltshire Council.

The development, which was going to see up to 77 homes built on the 13 hectares of land off Woodrow Road, was refused on Friday (March 31), much to the delight of residents who started a campaign against the scheme when it was first submitted in July last year.

Sue Carter, 68, of Woodrow Road, said: “Originally I believe there were supposed to be 152 homes built on the land but after an archaeological dig at the site they found some interesting remains, which meant they couldn’t build on part of the land, which is why it was reduced to 77 homes.

“I believe the opposition against the development was a big influence on the decision from the council. In total we had 178 letters of objection against the plans and a lot of support. I have to say a big thank you to Melksham Town Council, Melksham Without Parish Council and Wiltshire Council for all of their support throughout the campaign, they have been wonderful. I don’t think it would have been possible without the support and hard work from the group as well.”

As well as the loss of green space, the development would have meant an increase in traffic on an already busy, single-track road.

Now Wiltshire Council has decided the Amethyst Planning scheme would be against the Wiltshire Core Strategy, which has planned out how many homes are to be built in towns and villages across the county.

The decision says: “The site lies outside the limits of development defined for the market town of Melksham as identified in the Wiltshire Core Strategy. The site has not been brought forward through a Site Allocations DPD or a Neighbourhood Plan and does not fall within any of the proposed exceptions identified in Core Policy Two.

“The unjustified development would result in loss of open countryside, which would cause a degree of harm through the erosion of the rural aspect and approach to the established settlement which bolsters the Council’s in principle opposition to the development.”