Protesters from Great Cheverell who want to turn out in force at a housing appeal are furious the inquiry will not be held in the village.

Wiltshire Council has decided to hold the four-day appeal over plans by Gladman Developments for 25 homes on a field on the edge of village in Trowbridge.

Retired accountant Michael Maxwell, whose home in Little Cheverell is near the field, has written to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol to complain.

He wrote: “Despite the large local outcry at the proposal, someone in authority has decided to hold the planning appeal 15 miles away at Trowbridge instead of in the Pavilion at Great Cheverell as has occurred previously.

”As a result many of the objectors cannot attend due to travel difficulties and time off work, as it is heard in the day.”

He believes this will put the protesters at an unfair disadvantage as in the past planning inspectors have indicated greater weight is given to personal representations than written objections.

He says Wiltshire Council failed to give him a reason for the venue choice.

He said: “My question to Wiltshire about the location has been met by a deafening silence. In my opinion this just highlights the fantasy of localism in planning decisions. I think the hearing, even if delayed, should be moved to the community affected and this would go some way towards equity and localism in action.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We needed somewhere that was available for four days and would have space for photocopying. There was nowhere suitable and so the decision was made to hold the appeal at County Hall.”

The council came under fire earlier this year when the appeal over turning St Mary’s Church, Devizes, into a community space was held in Trowbridge.

Supporters of the plan said a number of venues were available in Devizes.

Mr Maxwell said: “I don’t know if it is some policy decision by Wiltshire Council to make life easier for officers but it makes it much more difficult for people living near the proposed development.”