CIVIC leaders in Corsham have refused to back down over their choice of name for a new housing estate.

The town council was asked to come to a last-minute compromise with a housing developer over a name for a new nine-home development off High Street.

North Wiltshire District Council withdrew its objection at a court hearing last Wednesday. Civic leaders were given an extra ten days to back down but they are expected to stand firm and not accept any other name.

Residents believe the new development should be named after postmaster Frank Bryant who served the town through both world wars because the estate is on fields once owned by him.

But developer Maplecroft dismissed the historical connection because of the street name's resemblance to rival homebuilder Bryant Homes.

They have come up with a list of other names including Market Yard, Stable Court and High Street Mews but all have hit a barrage of criticism.

Town councillors may have no choice but to agree to the developer's name if they fail to come up with a suitable alternative.

Peter Jeremiah, a solicitor for the district council, said: "The matter was considered at the meeting and the town council was given another ten days to agree a name with the developer.

"If they cannot agree on a name then the original name of Market Yard stands. Neither the town council or the district council have the statutory power to name the development."

Cllr Roy Jackson said he was prepared to meet with the developer to discuss the matter.

He said: "The district council is asking us to look at it again and see if we can come up with some sort of compromise.

"The developer is being awkward. The district council has washed their hands of it and we are being left with this blessed thing which we do not need."

Maplecroft's technical manager Jerry Ratcliffe said: "We wanted to resolve this as soon as possible.

"We have been disappointed with the town council who have refused to speak to us.

"Unless we receive an alternative to consider we will press ahead with the name we have chosen. People are waiting to move in and they will want to know where they are living."