PLANS for a nine-home development in an area of outstanding natural beauty are being resisted as developers lodge the third application to build on green fields around Wroughton.

The consultation on the plans for Thorney Park will slam shut on Monday, and objections have already been raised by residents and the parish council, as it would encroach on the historic airfield, does not comply with the neighbourhood plan and would have dangerous access routes.

A spokesman for Wroughton Parish Council said: “There are brown field sites within Wroughton that could be developed and would take the 150 homes allocation for Wroughton in the Local Plan 2026.

“This site has not been identified in the draft Wroughton Plan as a potential development site.

“This is a greenfield site which is within the North Wessex Downs AONB.

“The development will be on the boundary of Wroughton Airfield and will have an adverse impact on the historic setting of the airfield.

“The development site is outside the settlement boundary and is approached by a steep and narrow road.

“There are no pavements on Priors Hill, the access road to the site, and cycling would be dangerous as the road is totally unsuitable due to its steep incline.

“The development of nine large houses is not in keeping with the local community, which is the old RAF married quarters.”

Andrew Lord, of the North Wessex Downs AONB Unit, has also objected to the scheme on the grounds it would obstruct views over the area.

“The site is outside any settlement boundary and within the nationally protected North Wessex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty,” he said.

“There are wide open views of this site including from Barbury Castle and the Ridgeway national trail.

“This proposal will result in a new urbanising impact on the undeveloped nature of the site and will result in a precedent for new additional housing in this area.

“There is also no reference to the need or want from the emerging Wroughton Neighbourhood Plan for development in this location.

“The proposal is contrary to the emerging local plan, the emerging management plan for the AONB and the National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Practice Guidance]. A similar proposal at New Road, Chiseldon was refused by the council and dismissed on appeal in 2012.”

However, the planwas reduced in size ahead of submission, anticipating objections from locals.

Adam Kearney, of Adam Kearney Associates, said: “We understand that there are concerns around Priors Hill due to some pinch points between the site and the village.

#However, it should be pointed out that our proposal is for a relatively small development and will only generate a modest amount of additional traffic.”