Strong objections have been expressed by Devizes Town Council to plans to build three town houses on land at the back of the old Gazette building in the Market Place.

Clenche Properties, which is converting the upstairs of the main part of the building into flats, now want to knock down a building at the back to make room for the town houses. It also wants to convert the upstairs of the old printing works into a flat and use the downstairs as an office.

But members of the town council’s planning committee voted unanimously to oppose the plans on the grounds that the work would disturb nesting bats, it was an over development of the land and would be too close to neighbouring properties.

Home owner Andrew Stevens of neighbouring Carriage Court also spoke at the meeting to urge the council to fight the scheme.

He said: “The access to the site is only a footpath and is far too narrow.”