THE developer behind the Coate Bridge homes development has indicated the rejection of its planning appeal will not be the end of the fight.

Last week campaigners were delighted when it was announced an appeal by developer Mactaggart and Mickel Homes had been thrown out by communities secretary Erik Pickles.

But now the developer has said that while it is disappointed with the decision it is pleased Coate Road has been recognised as a sustainable location.

Strategic land manager Ken Hopkins said: “At this stage we are still considering our position following the decision.”

The company refused to be drawn on whether or not this meant it is going to submit a revised planning application or even go for a judicial review.

But Devizes Town Council deputy town clerk Simon Fisher said: “I think it would be niave of us to think they are just going to go away.

"They have invested a lot of time and effort in getting the application to this stage so we have to be prepared for them to come back.”

Mayor Sarah Bridewell said: “I think we have won the battle but the war is likely to continue.”

But Mr Fisher said the fact that Mr Pickles had given great weight to the Devizes Area Neighbourhood Plan gave him encouragement.

Town councillor Judy Rose and Roundway Parish Council chairman Chris Callow hope that by the time any new application could be made the plan will be even closer to being adopted and therefore carry even more weight.

Wiltshire councillor Laura Mayes, who battled hard to stop the development. said: “I have been inundated with people contacting me to say well done for standing up for Devizes. I would be very disappointed if the developers come back again.

"If they are going to, I think a judicial review is more likely than another planning application.”

Mr Hopkins, for the Scottish developer, said this week: “Whilst we’re disappointed with the decision reached by the secretary of state, particularly when set against the positive recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate, we are pleased by the recognition that has been given by all parties including the local authority, the Planning Inspectorate and the secretary of state that Coate Road is a sustainable location for development.”

The appeal report revealed that planning inspector John Felgate, who chaired the four-day hearing in April, had recommended the appeal should have been allowed and planning permission granted.

But Mr Pickles disagreed with the inspector’s conclusions and recommendation and decided to dismiss the appeal and refuse planning permission.

The report said: “In reaching this view the Secretary of State has had regard to the stage of preparation of the DANP, the content of the consultation statement, the quality and effectiveness of the three consultations carried out prior to submission of the DANP to the local authority, the evidence of local support for the DANP and the fact that the appeal site came second to bottom in the site preference exercise.”