A BID to build homes on an “unsuitable” factory site and save up to 90 jobs will go before government inspectors.

E V Naish has taken its fight to demolish 18 factory buildings and build 61 homes on its site in Crow Lane, Wilton, to the Planning Inspectorate.

In January this year members of Wiltshire Council’s Southern Area Planning Committee voted against the plans by five to three because of concerns over traffic, flooding and the lack of affordable homes.

E V Naish has operated from the site since the 1850s. Its director Geoff Naish has said that it is no longer viable to run the business from the Wilton site because it needs modern, energy efficient buildings for manufacturing and a site which would enable larger trucks to make deliveries.

In a statement to the council and planning inspectors, Gavin Hall, a director of Savills, acting on behalf of Mr Nash said: “The appeal site is no longer suitable to support the businesses.

“Not only are the existing buildings in an unsuitable layout to allow for efficient production, but they have reached the end of their functional life and require substantial investment in order to sustain ongoing operation.

“The appellant (E V Naish) therefore has only three options: redevelop the site with new fit-for-purpose industrial buildings, relocate to a new factory elsewhere, or to close.”

The company has insisted that if the plan is refused by inspectors it could see up to 90 jobs go as it would have to close the site and move.

“Clearly, the closure of the factories is an undesirable proposition as this would lead to the end of a family-run business which has been in operation since 1800,” the statement added.

The decision to appeal has been marked as “right timing” by Wilton District Business Chamber chairman Peter Edge.

“If E V Naish don’t get this development then eventually they will move out of the area entirely and move their production. I’m against any loss of business in Wilton but you have got to look at the reality of the location.”

Cllr Edge said there is potential for the firm to move to business units on the Fugglestone Red development.

As Wilton mayor and town resident Cllr Edge added that he does not think the site will be overcrowded and disagrees that there will be an increase in traffic.