A developer, whose plans to build 125 homes on land south of Abberd Lane, Calne, were refused by Wiltshire Council in November last year, has appealed against the decision.

Wiltshire Council refused to give Robert Hitchens Limited planning permission for the 6.7-hectare site because it is outside the framework development boundary for Calne.

The developer said: “The Core Strategy acknowledges that further housing sites are required at Calne. In seeking to deliver housing land at Calne, the release of greenfield sites is unavoidable due to the lack of alternative residential sites on previously developed land.”

The council also said the plans were premature in relation to its local development framework and Core Strategy, and the developer had made no provision for affordable housing.

The application had been vetoed by Calne Town Council and Calne Without Parish Council, who said the town’s infrastructure would not be able to support the increase in population.

Residents also voiced their concerns on Wiltshire Council’s planning application portal, citing further strain on the town’s facilities and roads.

Robert Hitchins Limited won a High Court battle to build on another site close by in 2010. Homes at The Oaks and Steeplechase are now being built by Redrow and Persimmon