A FOUR-day planning inquiry into a controversial proposal to build up to 25 homes on land in Great Cheverell looked at everything from nesting curlews to road safety.

Gladman Homes has appealed against a decision by Wiltshire Council to turn down an application to build on a field in School Lane.

But inspector David Prentis was warned by Wiltshire Council on Tuesday that the final decision on the county’s Core Strategy was expected any day and it could affect his decision.

Wiltshire Council rejected the scheme in March but Gladman argued it did not have a five-year supply of land.

Both Great Cheverell and Little Cheverell residents are opposed to the plan and both parish councils have objected. 

When the plan was turned down, Wiltshire Council planning officer Ruaridh O’Donoghue said the location of the proposed houses would result in increased car use and the access road to the site was a narrow country lane. Great Cheverell was not able to cater for 25 more houses, he said.

Mr Prentis told the hearing that he needed more information from both the developers and the council about ecology on Salisbury Plain particularly in connection with nesting curlews.

But Gladman, represented by QC Paul Tucker, said that the new homes would add to the sustainability of the village.

The result of the inquiry will not be known for some time.