A CONTROVERSIAL planning application in Wroughton was rejected after an uproar from local residents.

At a meeting of the planning committee, developers Ainscough Land was told it could not go ahead with building 100 homes at Berkeley Farm, on Swindon Road, after the application was thrown out unanimously by the planning committee.

The reasons given at the meeting were that the land was outside the scope of the emerging local plan and Wroughton neighbourhood plan, as well as possibly being the gateway to more development in the area.

Officers had recommended the application be turned down, and despite a last minute appeal by developers, members of the committee agreed.

The developers said the application was vital for the dairy farm so money could be invested in the site, which in turn would provide local jobs, but the overriding effect on the village was deemed more important.

Yesterday locals said they welcomed the outcome and would now focus on putting together the Wroughton neighbourhood plan.

Paul Hurst, the chairman of the parish council, said: “We are all very pleased the planning committee chose to reject these plans. There was so much wrong with them. The decision has helped to restore my faith in the process.

“It was on a greenfield site outside of the village boundaries. There are already huge traffic problems on that road and this would have added to them.

“The land was not designated for house building on either the local plan or the neighbourhood plan so it is right it was rejected.”

However, the long-term viability of Berkeley Farm, which has been a dairy farm in the same family for a number of generations, is at risk following the decision, according to owner Nick Gosling. Selling a parcel of land would have secured its long-term future.

“Releasing part of Berkeley Farm isn’t a decision we take lightly, and I believe we’re doing it for the right reasons – to realise funds to allow us to invest in the plant and equipment that is needed to make the farm sustainable in the long term,” he said.

“The proposed development site is the smallest piece of land needed to achieve that, and the sale would help secure some jobs in Wroughton in a rural industry that has sadly been declining for some decades now.”

Paul Martin, managing director of Ainscough Strategic Land, said: “We are disappointed at the planning committee’s decision, but respect the democratic right of the committee to its own view.

“Our approach will remain one of working with the community and with Wroughton Parish Council on their draft neighbourhood plan.”

Related articles:

Find us on social media:

Swindon Advertiser: Follow us on Twitter  Swindon Advertiser: Like us on Facebook