“I know when I’m not welcome”. It’s a phrase that many of us have uttered. We might then leave with head held high and nary a backwards glance, or perhaps flounce off in high dudgeon. But the result is the same; we withdraw from a situation where our presence is neither needed nor desired. We do this because we’re human and we have an instinctive understanding of how people get along.

So why don’t housing developers understand this? I’m referring, of course, to the potential development by Coate Bridge in Devizes – although this could refer to many such schemes across the county and, indeed, the country.

In this instance most local people were delighted that Wilshire Council stood up for us and turned the plans down.

This was back in the spring and, after a bit more to-ing and fro-ing, the matter was referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles. Our MP also chipped in and Mr Pickles backed us. The community – councillors, MP, the rest of us – had stood together and had won! It seemed like a victory for localism.

That could all change now, though, as the Glasgow-based developers, Mactaggart and Mickel, are appealing to the High Court. They want to make money by building 350 new homes on a green field site on the edge of Devizes. Fair enough, they are a business, not a charity, but surely they can see that we don’t want those houses here. This really isn’t just a case of NIMBYism – we’ll struggle to cope with this many more houses. Another phrase you often hear is “I remember when all this was fields.”

I only moved to Devizes in the late 1980s but I can say that in relation to a few developments around here. And not only fields, but also playing fields and allotments. In little more than a quarter of a century, the town has expanded far more than most would reasonably have expected and we’re not alone. Let’s slow down a bit.

Devizes, in common with many other community areas, is in the process of adopting a Neighbourhood Plan. The plan acknowledges that, despite the amount that has already been built, we will need new housing.

But it sets out how this should be reconciled with other important factors such as transport, air quality, employment opportunities, health, leisure and educational facilities and so forth. Those are resources that are already under strain and I haven’t heard of any concrete plans to sort these things out.

I’m a big believer in public transport but those services generally get cut rather than increased and with the exception of a late bus from Bath, you’re stuffed if you want to get back to Devizes any time after early evening. So the majority of people will, understandably, opt to use a car. This will put even more pressure on our existing road network – itself largely based upon a medieval street pattern – and send a shudder down the spine of anyone who tries to drive in our out of town at peak times.

Of course developers will say that any new estates will encourage more sustainable transport options such as cycling but I’ve heard that one before and I haven’t noticed Devizes turning into a mini version of Den Haag or Amsterdam.

Yes, give us some new houses; we know that we need them. But do it in such a way that the town can adapt to cope in a controlled manner. Maybe use some of our brownfield sites such as St Peter’s School, the Assize Courts or even the old Kennet offices at Browfort. Plonking a whopping great dormitory estate on the edge of town is not going to benefit anyone in this area. Fingers crossed that the wise men in the High Court recognise that.