A HOUSING development in Rudloe has been given the go-ahead despite strong opposition. 

Wiltshire Council received more than 60 objection letters regarding the plans for 88 new homes on land south of Bradford Road, but it granted Hannick Homes and Developments planning permission earlier this month.

Councillors agreed with planning officers that it would improve “the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area”.

The protesters’ main concern was that the new homes would be built on a greenfield site when alternative brownfield sites were available.

Within the plans there is also allocated space for 12 small business units and two larger office blocks with parking for nearby businesses at Fiveways Trading Estate.

When the application was first submitted in 2013, Corsham Town Council supported it because of the additional employment, and Box Parish Council raised no objections subject to adequate highway provision.

But resident Paul Turner, of Springfield Close, Rudloe, thinks that West Corsham is in danger of becoming overpopulated as other developments in the area are also in the planning process.

These include plans for more than 100 homes at the former Ministry of Defence Copenacre site in Bath Road by developers Framptons.

Appeals have also been submitted to Wiltshire Council from Redcliffe Homes for 170 homes and a medical centre between Bradford Road and Park Lane, and Gladman Developments for 150 new homes on land north of Bath Road.

A development for 64 homes at Potley Lane, another greenfield site, by De Vernon Trustees Inc, also received planning permission from Wiltshire Council this month.

Mr Turner said: “My main objection is that despite all these brownfield sites, Wiltshire Council is approving greenfield developments.

“We are losing our green spaces.

“They have effectively ignored local opinion.

“It doesn’t really matter, if they’ve got it in their mind to approve something they will, despite objections."

Planning documents submitted by Hannick Homes and Developments state that Rudloe lacks services given its size. 

Mr Turner added: “Rudloe is already a massive conurbation of many estates with absolutely no services, so that’s a big problem.”