A CHIPPENHAM couple have been left devastated as plans for 700 homes to be built around their cottage at Rawlings Farm have been approved.

Cheryle Walton and her partner Paul Jones face the prospect of “living on a building site” after councillors voted in favour of the development last Wednesday to the anger of local residents.

The Gazette reported in February that Ms Walton and her partner hadn’t even been made aware of the plans by developers Frampton Homes just days before it was submitted to Wiltshire Council and, at a strategic planning meeting in Chippenham last week, the plan for 700 homes was approved by five votes to three.

“We’re absolutely devastated and they’ve offered us no compensation. We’ve not even had a call from the council about it,” said Ms Walton, 57, who has lived in the cottage for nearly five years.

“They’re just expecting us to live in a building site, it’s just horrendous, and when it’s finished there will be houses everywhere.

“Everyone was against it but what about us sat in the middle of all this? Do we get compensation?

“We can’t sell the house because no one will want to buy it before the houses are built.

“We haven’t got the money to fight it. The developer has been talking to the council and it’s all about money.

“The decision was already made before the meeting, nobody gives a damn.”

The development from KBC Developments LLP and consultants Framptons includes 700 homes, 4.5 hectares of employment space and a primary school, as well as up to ten hectares of public space and landscaping.

Access would be gained via a bridge over the railway line and through Parsonage Way and Darcy Close, but no more than 200 homes are permitted to be built before the bridge and Cocklebury Lane link road are complete.

Councillor Chris Caswill, who represents Monkton ward where the houses will be built, said: “I think they have been treated extraordinarily badly and I told the developers during the meeting they should take the opportunity to apologise.

“I don’t think the way they have been treated is a very good sign for the residents of Darcy Close if this is how they treat people.

“I think the decision was disgraceful and I believe she has grounds for complaint and I’ve advised on how to proceed.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “There was extensive public consultation on this major application and any public feedback received was taken into consideration before a decision was made by the committee.

“The committee resolution means planning permission will be granted once the legal agreement, which includes a raft of developers’ contributions to the area, has been signed.

“We always notify those who send in comments of the date of the committee meeting, and people can find the full detail of the decision on our website.”