AFFORDABLE housing is to be built in Coombe Bissett after a lengthy battle by parish councillors resulted in a Uturn by Wiltshire Council.

The former depot site in Blandford Road had been earmarked for sale on the open market and plans for two executive homes – both with four or five bedrooms – drawn up.

But the plans angered Coombe Bissett and Homington Parish Council, which called for Wiltshire Council to “stand by its principles” and allow the site to be used for affordable housing.

It argued that with council houses having been sold off over the last 30 years there was little affordable housing left for the average wage earner.

Parish council vice-chairman Des Hobson said: “It just seemed wrong that a council trying to encourage private land owners to put forward their own land for affordable housing wasn’t committed to doing the same.

“Sites within the village are few and far between and we know there’s an urgent need for affordable homes. It has been a long slog for nearly five years to get this decision overturned, but we got there in the end.”

Last Tuesday Wiltshire councillors on the cabinet capital assets committee unanimously voted in favour of building three affordable homes on the site.

The scheme, which has widespread support in the village, including those living close to the site, has now been delegated to council officers.

Cllr Hobson added: “I never imagined it would take this long but I’m delighted with the council’s decision.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “It is a priority of the council to deliver more affordable homes to meet needs and to try to ensure local people have the opportunity to get housed in their local communities.”