A Government inspector has given outline planning permission for 125 homes near Abberd Lane in Calne.

Plans for the 6.7-hectare site, which lies outside but adjoins the settlement boundary of Calne, went to appeal after Wiltshire Council refused permission. Calne Town Council also objected to the application.

An inquiry took place in early September in Chippenham, after which inspector Paul Dignan permitted the plans by Robert Hitchins Limited.

The site is undeveloped agricultural land on the eastern side of Calne, south of Abberd drive, with access coming from Sandpit Road.

Calne Town Council’s town and development committee member Tom Rounds believes the outcome emphasises the town’s desperate need for a neighbourhood plan.

He said: “This is exactly sort of thing that would be stalled by a Calne neighbourhood plan. There are seven applications in for housing developments in Calne – that’s a ridiculous number given the size of our town.

“All the developers know full well that when the plan is in place they are tied to it, maybe that’s what is driving these seven applications. We would like to see a cohesive policy that would be driven by the neighbourhood plan.”

Access to the homes would be from Sandpit Road, which would also serve a new estate to the north.

In his report, Mr Dignan said: “The adverse impacts would not significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the National Planning Policy Framework policies taken as a whole, and I conclude accordingly that the appeal should succeed.”

He stated in his report that no more than 125 homes would be permitted and the development would be required to comply with relevant application plans.

He said the development must meet the flood risk assessment and drainage strategy to protect the site and surrounding area.

Roads would have to be provided in the interests of safety and sustainable travel, while details of landscaping and tree protection were vital to protect local character.