CAMPAIGNERS in Corsham are furious an appeal to build a 150-home development on fields in Corsham has been approved.

The planning application was submitted by Gladman Developments two years ago for houses, offices, parking and play areas on rural land to the north of Bath Road in Pickwick near Guyers Lane, but Wiltshire Council refused to approve it last year.

Corsham Town Council also recommended it be refused and more than 160 letters and a petition against it were received.

Some of the concerns included the loss of the Greenfield site and visual impact on the area, added pressure on the town's resources including schools and doctors' surgeries as well as increased traffic on the A4.

However, as a result of the eight day appeal by Gladman Developments, the plans were given the go-ahead this week by independent planning inspector David Prentis.

He said it would bring economic benefits to the area and stated a list of 23 conditions the development must meet, however he admitted 'there would be some harm to the character and appearance of the area'.

Work can also not begin until a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) has been submitted to and approved by Wiltshire Council.

Residents' group The Pickwick Association has been campaigning against the new housing estate and attended the appeal.

Chair of the group David Taylor said: "The decision has dismayed the committee and all Pickwick residents.

"It is the result of a flawed planning system - the government five year land supply policy - which rides roughshod over ecology, agriculture, landscape and heritage concerns.

"Planning by appeal completely disregards the democratic, plan-led system in which local people are able to participate in deciding where development should be."

Corsham town councillor Philip Whalley was also at the appeal. He added: "This is a very sad day for local democracy. Everyone, Wiltshire planning officers, the town council, local councillors and local residents were opposed to this scheme but that has been overridden by this inspector's decision.

"It is now even more crucial that Corsham presses on as soon as possible to complete its Neighbourhood Plan so we get greater control over our own destiny."