Appeal launched after council refuses 36-house development in Downton

Wiltshire Council originally refused planning permission to build 36 residential units, as well as an access road, on land at Rivermead, in Breamore Road at Downton.

But developers, Foreman Homes Ltd, have launched an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the council's decision, made at the start of October last year.

The site in question is currently used for three private, residential gardens. The original planning application was for a mix of 25 three or four-bed houses for the open market, and 11 one or two-bed socially rented houses.

Downton Parish Council "strongly objected" to the original proposal, adding that the developer "did not carry out proper engagement with the local community" prior to submitting final plans.

Mrs Diane Eggleton, a resident of Catherine Crescent in Downton wrote: "Please, PLEASE do not allow Downton to become DownTOWN. This is a very attractive and desirable rural village and we believe that those who choose to live in a village would not wish to see it expand by housing development into a small town."

Fellow residents, Mr and Mrs Hopkins, wrote: "To site an application of this size opposite a school is in our opinion very dangerous.

"The road from Breamore to Downton has been the site of many accidents, and we feel this would raise the problem even more.

"We are talking children's lives here."

Wiltshire Council refused the application, on the grounds that there was "no overriding need at this time for development in this location".

The planning decision also made reference to ground water issues at the site, and the fact that the proposal had not made plans for off-site open recreational spaces, education provisions or waste management.

No date has been set for the appeal hearing, but comments on the development can be submitted until January 17, by writing to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/10b Kite Wing, 2 The Square, Temple Quay House, Bristol, BS1 6PN or emailing west1@pins.gsi.gov.uk.