A CONTROVERSIAL new development of 20 homes in Porton has been given the go-ahead in the midst of an outcry from local residents.

The plans, initially earmarked for refusal by Wiltshire Council planning officers, were later changed to approval to the shock of villagers, who say they were not informed until the last minute.

The development, which is outside the housing policy boundary, was “unacceptable as a matter of planning principle” according to the officer’s report when the application was due to be considered by Wiltshire councillors in August.

The officer also said the plan would “promote a pattern of development contrary to the aims of achieving sustainable development”.

However, officers deferred the application when the applicant Linden Homes decided to increase its financial contribution to the community under a Section 106 agreement.

The new report, prepared by officers for the Southern planning committee meeting last Thursday, states that the additional funding of £130,000, which is to go towards replacing the village hall, and is on top of the previous £140,000 for a play area and local schools, now “tips the balance in favour” of the plans.

Around 50 residents attended the meeting, bringing along a petition signed by 265 people against the development in Winterslow Road.

They said it will change the nature of the village, increase the pressure on village infrastructure, and increase traffic.

Local resident Jeremy Harris said: “We are dismayed that established planning policy principles and the objections of local residents are being over-ridden to accommodate an unwanted development on visually important and valued green space.

"It appears to the parish council that no consideration has been given to the message this sends out to both the building industry and the wider community i.e. that planning principles can be overridden if a developer is willing to put up enough cash.”

The parish council also highlighted the work already done on the village’s Neighbourhood Plan, which has included meetings and a survey.

Mr Harris has lodged a complaint of maladministration against Wiltshire Council, saying documents on the council’s website misled residents into believing the plans were still set for refusal by officers.

The plans, which involve six affordable houses and range from one-bed homes to four-bed homes, were passed seven to two.

Cllr Richard Britton, who voted against the scheme, said: "I can understand the frustration and confusion that the sequence of events has caused and I can understand members of the public thinking this is planning by cheque book.

“Our policies are very clear – it’s a place that is outside the housing policy boundary where development is not permitted unless there is really significant benefit which has been discussed and agreed with those such as the parish council and in my opinion that has not happened. I think the officer was wrong and I find it somewhat embarrassing.”

Cllr Chris Devine said: “A lot of villages around Porton have had this sort of development and at the end of the day they all prospered as a result of it.

“It’s a good location, I like what they’re doing here and I like the affordable homes as well.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “Our officers looked over the application again and felt the community benefits outweighed any planning concerns which were always finely balanced in view of the lack of demonstrable harm arising from the proposal. The additional contribution towards the essential infrastructure tipped the balance in its favour and it was recommended for approval.”

She said while the approval recommendation was advertised on the council’s website under the meeting agenda, an “error” meant the decision had not been updated on the planning online list.