THE Victorian barracks block at Le Marchant Barracks in Devizes will not be torn down as part of the redevelopment of the area, Kennet councillors heard last week.

Although the block, built in 1878 as home to the Wiltshire Regiment, is not listed, Broadway Malyan Planning, agents for Defence Estates, the property arm of the Ministry of Defence, said it had agreed to convert it to homes because it wanted to maintain good relations with Kennet planning officers.

Councillors at Kennet District Council's regulatory committee last Thursday granted outline planning permission for the scheme after hearing of the raft of community gains offered by Defence Estates.

These include 50 per cent of the proposed 132 homes being offered as either subsidised homes for rent or low-cost market housing, "pepper potted" throughout the scheme, rather than fixed in one corner of the site.

The plan also offers an equipped toddler play area, casual play space and contributions totalling almost £1million towards the building of a new primary school at Quakers Walk and an extension at Devizes School. It also includes road safety measures on London Road and sustainable transport improvements.

But the proposed development is causing concern among neighbours. They are worried that the layout would result in loss of light and privacy.

Ruth Cunliffe of Ash Walk told councillors said that a number of aspects in the outline plans were unacceptable to existing residents.

She said: "The car park area backs onto our houses, causing a nuisance with noise and fumes. Also, there is no provision for disabled parking on the plans."

Adrian Keel of Broadway Malyan said the layout was subject to discussions with Wiltshire County Council's highways department.

Mike Wilmott, Kennet's senior planning officer, assured councillors that many of these problems could be ironed out when the detailed planning applications were submitted.

Coun Ray Parsons welcomed the plan and said he looked forward to the old Army site being modernised. He said the amount of social housing was "very respectable". He was also pleased to hear that the barracks building was to be retained.

The planning application was passed unanimously.