A ROW over the impact of houses on a rural setting and whether there was a need for such a development in the immediate area dominated a planning appeal.

The issue surrounds plans for 10 starter homes on a field just south of Broad Town Primary School in the village near Royal Wootton Bassett. The homes would be be sold at an ‘affordable’ 20 per cent discount

Developer Greystoke Land Limited last week had its appeal heard against the refusal of planning permission by Wiltshire Council.

The council turned down the plan because the houses are outside the village’s settlement boundary. It also said they would damage the rural nature of the area, particularly the setting of the Grade II-listed Christ Church.

The council’s senior planning officer Catherine Blow told government-appointed planning inspector Liam Page there was not a need for houses for specifically first-time buyers in the area.

She said: “This is specifically entry-level housing for first-time buyers and renters.

"The applicant has to demonstrate there is a specific need for that – not ordinary affordable housing, but specifically entry-level housing."

She added: “We are meeting the need for affordable housing in this area and this community, we are exceeding it.”

Greystoke Land’s representative David Hutchinson argued: “That isn’t the case. There is a shortfall in housing land supply. In this area there is only 4.29 years’ worth.”

If a council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, it makes it more difficult for it to fight off housing developments it might not want.

Ms Blow also said the site of the proposed development, north of the main village and directly south of the primary school, would have: ”A suburbanising effect on what is a rural area."

She said it would act to join the two different parts of the village, causing harm to the landscape.

Again, Mr Hutchinson did not agree.

He said: ”We accept that whenever a greenfield site is built on there is some harm. But the harm is strictly localised, there are no long views that it would damage.”

Scores of letters had been sent to Wiltshire Council planners from residents, with most of them objecting to the plan.

Brian Joyce a member of Broad Town Parish Council spoke to the hearing.

He said: “The development brings no economic or employment benefits to the local community. We have a school and a garage.

“The application says it could bring additional children to Broad Town School. We don’t know if this is true, of course.”

Mr Page intended to visit the site alone on Friday and his decision will be published later in the year.