A COUPLE’S dream cottage could become a nightmare as 700 homes may be built around them – despite having not being consulted on the plans.

Cheryle Walton and Paul Jones were completely unaware of the proposed estate at Rawling Farm, Chippenham, until a passer-by mentioned it to them in December, only days before the application was submitted to Wiltshire Council.

“It’s just soul destroying, we have lived here for five years and we worked our arses off to buy it and get everything done like extensions,” said Miss Walton, who has been with her partner for 17 years.

“It’s our dream home and this has happened behind our backs.

“They are just developing it around us and we’ve never had anyone come to us.

“I heard about if from a lad when we were walking our dogs but he lives down Monkton Park.

“We had no notification, we had no letter but we are the only cottage there.

“Our cottage isn’t even on the plans.”

The development from KBC Developments LLP and consultants Framptons would include 700 homes, 4.5 hectares of employment space and a primary school, as well as up to ten hectares of public space and landscaping.

The application was submitted to Wiltshire Council on January 6 with comments on the plans invited until March 4.

Peter Frampton, director of Framptons, said: “When a planning application is submitted to the local planning authority normal protocol would be that they [Wiltshire Council] would normally send them a notification.

“From our part we did hold a public exhibition in December 2014 and notified a lot of people and put an advert in the Gazette and Herald newspaper.

“It happens around the country where you get a large development which will change dramatically the surroundings if approved.

“She should have been informed and if that didn’t happen I apologise.

“The planning application has a long way to go, it’s in, she’s now aware of it and has sufficient time to send in her comments.”

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said: “The developers carried out public consultation events on these planning proposals and should have ensured all residents were told.

“We understand from Ms Walton, that she was not informed and was only made aware when she received a letter from us in January stating a planning application had been submitted by the developers.

“We’ve suggested the developers call Ms Walton to explain what they are planning to do and why Ms Walton was not involved earlier in the public consultation events.

“However, it’s important to stress there is still ample time for comments on the application and no decision will be made until there is a planning meeting to discuss this, which Ms Walton is welcome to attend.”

A decision on the application could be delayed as the Chippenham Site Allocation Plan remains in limbo following the suspension of a planning inquiry into its soundness by a planning inspector.

“It will change our lives and I’m quite depressed by it because we are fighting a big company, someone with a lot of money,” added Miss Walton.

“I spoke with someone from Framptons and they said it was Wiltshire Council’s responsibility to inform us.

“I’m waiting to hear back from Michelle Donelan after writing to her and we have until March 4 to oppose it however we can.”