ANOTHER scheme for homes on the edge of Chippenham has got the thumbs down from Wiltshire Council.

Councillors at the Strategic Planning Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously against an application for 500 homes near to Barrow Farm, on the M4 side of the town after case officers recommended it should be refused.

The application was being heard on appeal after Wiltshire Council failed to give notice of its decision within an appropriate time scale and members were asked to vote on what they would do if they were told to issue a decision. Now a Government inspector will make the final decision at a hearing in September.

Councillor David Mannering, speaking on behalf of Langley Burrell Parish Council, where the application land is, said: “The rural setting would be destroyed by this. We’re concerned about the flooding in the area. Bird Marsh Wood is very boggy even when there’s not been much rain.

“We’re also concerned about the loss of the landscape because effectively we risk being suburbanised by Chippenham.”

As well as 500 homes, the application also includes a new primary school, play areas, open space, and land which could be used for leisure and space for shops.

The meeting at County Hall in Trowbridge heard that the application had a number of adverse impacts, such as a failure to set out a bus strategy, an impact on landscape particular to listed buildings in the area and that it was unclear how the site would rely on nearby roads.

It was also established that Highways England would need to carry out necessary works around Junction 17 of the M4 before any development could take place.

Speaking against the application, resident Edward Barham said: “I was born and brought up in a rat-infested place and I dreamed of living in a place like this. Every stone I have laid is in keeping with the characteristics of the area and I’ve been enjoying what is a unique landscape.

"This is the only one left in the area and if this goes ahead all that will be essentially destroyed. I’m concerned whether you think that matters or if a piece of land is a real estate.”

A number of applications for new homes have been put on hold in the area as the Chippenham Development Plan Document (DPD), which planning applications has to adhere to, has been delayed. Planning applications for 1,500 homes in East Chippenham, 700 homes at Rawlings Green and 200 homes opposite Stanley Park have all been submitted to the council.