GAZETTE & HERALD: POTLEY Lane residents are fighting plans for an extension to Leafield Industrial Estate that could come within metres of their homes.

The area has been identified for development in the future in the Local Plan 2011 Designated Employment Land.

If it goes ahead, the trading park would surround two homes on the site.

Sixteen members of the public turned out to a planning meeting at Corsham Town Council last Wednesday to express their concerns about the proposed future of the land.

On the evening councillors decided to write a strong letter of objection to the local plans inspector, detailing the feelings of the residents.

Coun Brian Healy, who lives in Potley Lane said: "The extension would mean more heavy goods vehicles going across the bridge and therefore past my house, but I understand the worries of the residents and that's why I will be objecting."

He explained that one of the biggest difficulties is some families have only recently bought their homes and they weren't informed about the plans for development of the area.

He said the council was also unaware that houses were on the land so when it first came up for discussion they didn't make a formal objection.

The public enquiry into the Local Plan is currently underway and the deadline for comments has now passed.

Peter Davis will be presenting the case to the local plans inspector at a meeting on Thursday June 23.

He said: "Insufficient consideration is being given to the effects on residential areas which would surround this particular area, or to the means of access to the trading estate generally.

"The extension proposed would run along the back of Potley Farm and the Dairy Cottage, which is being converted into residential use. Both of those properties overlook green fields at the moment, as do many properties down Potley Lane.

"This extension would result in them facing directly on to a commercial development."

He said access to the estate is also very restricted, with the only means of entry being via Valley Road in Corsham, over a single vehicle width railway bridge. Other directions are restricted by narrow lanes and weight restrictions, Coun Davis said.

But Potley Bridge is also the subject of a forthcoming weight restriction that would entail strengthening by re-building and could close the road for up to a year, Coun Davis said.

"No consideration has been given in the proposals put forward for the local plan in providing commercial extensions at other sites," he continued.

"Many of the ex-military establishments in the area are brown field sites which have been used for office and other commercial activities.

"These are available in many cases for this use. Corsham Media Park at Neston has some 39 acres of brown field site land known for commercial development and with easy access and far better facilities and yet the council have totally disregarded these areas."

He added: "The extension at Leafield and Methuen Park would encroach on green field sites and the use of ex-military establishments would be far more sensible and suitable."