A CONTENTIOUS bid to build 25 homes off Pavenhill in Purton has been taken to appeal by developers after Wiltshire Council turned it down.

Planners ruled in November that it was outside the development boundary and was unsustainable for a village the size of Purton.

They also said it was cramped, would lead to an unacceptable loss of privacy for current householders and did not include affordable housing.

But Hills Homes Developments Ltd is seeking to overturn the decision and a hearing date has been set for August 22 when a planning inspector will hear evidence from both sides.

In its statement Wiltshire Council said since the appeal was lodged an updated housing land supply statement had been published showing it was able to demonstrate more than a five-year land supply in the north and west of the county.

The authority added all the 121 responses it received before the application was decided raised objections to it on different grounds.

More than 100 were worried about road safety and an increase in unsustainable traffic. Over 50 were fearful about the impact on local infrastructure, including surgeries and schools.

Others were concerned that it was contrary to the neighbourhood plan, the loss of green space, flooding and other ecological issues.

MP James Gray has also voiced his opposition to the development.

The village has produced a draft neighbourhood plan and the site has not been included for future residential development, but the plan is not far enough through the process to be given the protection needed for the application to be refused on the grounds of prematurity.

Council planners also pointed out the lack of public transport. “The only bus service which runs from Purton to Swindon is the No.53 with the nearest stop being Willis Way, 500 metres east from the right of way into the site from Pavenhill and 750metres east of the main access into the site.”

A suggestion by Hills Homes that the Hills waste facility and the Pear Tree Hotel offered local employment opportunities also came under fire. “These are situated approximately 3.6 km and 2.4km, respectively, from the entrance to the application site and would require the use of highways with no pavements - Cricklade Road and Church End - when travelling from the application site. “Therefore, given the lack of pedestrian footways and the overall distance from the site, it is considered an unrealistic prospect of residents walking to employment at these sites. It is accepted that it would be possible to cycle to and from these facilities, but no public transport links would be available to the near vicinity either.”

In its appeal statement Hills Homes said 10 of the 25 homes will be affordable housing and pointed out the council’s own new housing team had said there was a demonstrable housing need in the community area.

It also said the highways department had not objected added there was no history of accidents between vehicles and pedestrians on the route.

The arguments will be heard in public at the council offices in Chippenham from 10am.