WESTLEA Housing Association has been forced to go back to the drawing board over housing plans for the old Malmesbury swimming pool site.

The association had proposed building four low-cost homes on land in Old Alexander Road, three three- bedroom and one two-bedroom home.

But North Wiltshire district councillors deferred the scheme at a planning meeting last Wednesday saying it would reduce the number of car-parking spaces available for other householders.

A parking survey found there were 17 garages on the site. Five were not used. Twelve are let to residents living nearby who could park their cars nearby. Westlea said because of this there was little chance the development would create parking problems.

But district councillors said the planned four parking spaces at the site were inadequate.

Their objections were supported by officers from Wiltshire County Council Highways who felt the loss of garages would cause parking to spill out on to other streets.

They said the parking layout would not give cars enough space to turn, creating an unsatisfactory parking arrangement.

Coun Patrick Goldstone said he was in favour of creating low-cost homes, but not at the expense of losing 17 garages and the car park.

County and district councillor John Thomson called on Westlea to clarify its plans.

He said: "I really think this should be dealt with and they should come back with clear proposals."