A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for a Wroughton housing development is to go before full planning inquiry.

Developers want to build 100 homes at Berkeley Farm but in November last year the plan was rejected by Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee following a public outcry.

However, Ainscough, which is behind application, officially appealed against the decision in May and after several weeks of considering the case, it has been decided to hold a full inquiry.

A spokesman for the Planning Inspectorate said: “We can confirm we have received a valid appeal in respect of an application for a residential development at Berkeley Farm, Wroughton.

“It is proposed that the appeal will be dealt with by an Inquiry and we have written to parties to agree dates.

“We are now checking the availability of suitably experienced Inspectors and will be confirming dates for the Inquiry in the near future.”

The inquiry process means all parties will convene with a planning inspector and then each make their cases before a decision is made.

Ever since news of the application broke last year, many residents in Wroughton have opposed the plan, saying the houses are not needed and will pave the way for further development.

Wroughton are in the process of developing neighbourhood plan and Berkeley Farm has not been set aside.

While Ainscough have not commented on the inquiry, after the initial decision to reject was made, the company said it would pursue the project.

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 come to its own view.

“However, we are concerned about the future of the dairy farm, and we will now have to consider all our options going forward. But we remain genuinely committed to continuing to engage with stakeholders, as we always do.

“Our ethos at Ainscough is to create attractive places for communities to enjoy, and we always try to take a community-wide perspective. We want this scheme to deliver long-term benefits, by meeting the needs and wants of current residents, as well as providing a sustainable future for the next generation of Wroughton residents.”

The council has said it will continue to stand by its initial decision to reject the plans.

A spokesman said: “The developer put in the appeal just before the six-month deadline. It means that the final decision is now taken out of the council’s hands and is handed to the Planning Inspectorate, who will consider the arguments on both sides. They will decide in the next few weeks what process they will use to come to a decision, which could be by considering written representations, or by holding a hearing, or by a full public enquiry. We will robustly defend the Planning Committee’s decision to refuse this application whatever process is chosen.”