CAMPAIGNERS and councillors in Royal Wootton Bassett have been given a stay of execution after a decision on two contentious planning proposals was delayed.

Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee met at County Hall in Trowbridge earlier today to hear arguments for and against plans to build 320 homes, a supermarket, a nursing home and a ‘community hub’ on land at Marsh Farm.

The proposals have proved deeply unpopular with residents and local elected representatives who say their views have been ignored.

Despite receiving 557 letters objecting to the application, council planning officers recommended that the committee approve the application.

The officers acknowledged that there was widespread public opposition, that the emerging local neighbourhood plan did not support development in that area, that it would lead to the loss of green countryside and impact on a heritage asset in the form of the neighbouring Marsh Farm Hotel.

But they said Wiltshire Council’s ongoing inability to prove that they had a viable five year supply of housing — a government requirement — left them with little choice but to back the plans.

Some councillors on the committee were frustrated that despite the sense they were approving an ever-increasing number of applications, the same limitations were being applied.

An exasperated Coun Christopher Newbury (Con, Warminster Copheap and Wylye) said: “We’ve given a thousand permissions in the last year and not a single one has made its way into our five year land supply.”

The chairman of Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council in which the development is sited was similarly frustrated.

“What is the point of Wiltshire Council going to the expense, time and effort to prepare a core strategy if it is totally ignored,” asked Coun Peter Willis.

“What is the point of parish councils preparing a neighbourhood plan if it is to be totally ignored?”

Coun Paul Heaphy, planning chairman at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council, appealed to the committee to give more consideration to the impact the arrival of 320 new homes would have on already stretched local resources.

He pointed out that GPs, schools and roads were at breaking point and could not cope with further strain.

His fellow councillor, Chris Wannell, raised concerns over drainage in the area and local county councillor Mollie Groom argued that the proposals gave insufficient consideration to the safety and capacity on nearby roads.

After much discussion, it was decided that the committee members would have to visit the site in person before being able to make a more informed decision.

The town’s battle against the developers is not yet over, but a delay can be seen as a small victory along the way.