Wiltshire councillors have refused planning permission for a house to be built in Urchfont but expressed sympathy with the applicant.

Planning officers recommended refusal because the proposed three-bedroom house, at The Bottom near to Friars Lane, would be outside the limits of development in the council’s Local Plan.

But the parish council and Wiltshire councillor Philip Whitehead both supported the application by Pat Banwell, saying the location is in between existing housing in the village.

At the eastern area planning committee meeting last Thursday, Coun Whitehead said: “This site is three minutes walk from the shop and about two minutes from the duck pond and village green. It’s not an unsustainable location and is not a remote, rural area.”

Dave Mottram, from Urchfont Parish Council, said: “This site abuts two development areas in the village and this development would not alter the footprint of the village.”

The site used to be a sewage works and has been owned by Mrs Banwell’s family for many years.

Planning manager Mike Wilmott said permission could only be given if the Urchfont Neighbourhood Plan being prepared by the parish council includes the site as suitable for development and is adopted.

Councillor Chris Williams said: “If we grant this before the outcome of the Neighbourhood Plan this could have an impact on other developments.”