CARE home owner David Lyne said he is hoping a letter campaign will help reverse a decision to stop Hill House Residential Home in Little Somerford from expanding.

Mr Lyne, 60, wanted to build 11 cottages in 11 acres of land next to the home as sheltered accommodation for elderly people. Income from the cottages, which he planned to lease to the over 55s, would have financed a £600,000, 14-bed expansion on the opposite side of the building. He said he cannot go-ahead with the extension without the homes plan also being given the nod. Without the extension he said the future of the care home is uncertain.

Outline planning permission was granted in 1980, when it was owned by Monica Hendrick. Mr Lyne's plans were turned down by North Wiltshire District Council's Malmesbury area planning committee six weeks ago.

Committee chairman Graham Clarke said told the Gazette the plan was given the thumbs down because it was in open countryside and building is not allowed unless it is for agricultural or forestry use.

Care worker Terri Newnham, of Wilkins Lane, Great Somerford, who works at the home has written to Coun Clarke. "I find the flimsy reasons that have been given for the refusal of the plans hard to believe, with care beds for the elderly so desperately needed," she wrote. She has also written to committee member Coun Pat Sears.

Mr Lyne said elderly people in the village have told him they are interested in writing to the newspapers expressing their support for the plans.

"I think if the committee realises it has stirred up a hornet's nest and people want this they might reverse this decision," he said.

Coun Clarke said: "On the evidence we had we made the right decision."