A HOUSEBUILDER has appealed against Wiltshire Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a new house in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Mr S Patnaik, represented by LPC (Trull) Ltd, applied for permission to remove existing buildings on land opposite 21 Greenhill – known as Hill Farm – and build a new house.

But the council refused the application on April 2 on the grounds it did not meet the key aims of the local sustainable transport guidance, it was a proposal for a dwelling in the countryside without special justification and a Section 106 agreement towards a public open space had not been reached.

Mr Patnaik lodged an appeal on May 22.

In his statement he said the site was accessible, it answered a need for rural housing and he was willing to make a Section 106 agreement.

He also said that: “The proposed scheme would ensure that the site is actively used which would improve the amenity of the neighbouring properties in terms of outlook and sense of security and safety.

“The site is not viable as a farm business as there is not enough land to sustain or support a farm of any kind. The remains have been left in ruins for over a decade and have become a waste ground.”

To view the plans, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk and search for planning reference number 13/05989/FUL.