SPARKS flew as residents voiced their anger during a planning meeting over the Sangster brothers’ second bid to build homes next to Rabley Wood View in Marlborough.

There were angry outbursts from neighbours observing the debate on Thursday in a final plea to persuade Wiltshire councillors to reject plans for 39 homes, a play area and multi-use game area on the land owned by the council.

All but one of councillors voted against the plans, with the other abstaining.

But it is too soon for residents to start celebrating as the application has not been formally rejected.

For it to be officially thrown-out councillors need to agree on a reason before a final decision is made. A meeting to discuss this has been deferred until later this year.

Neighbours Jayne and David Baker, of The Thorns, along with their neighbours Elizabeth and Paul Cooper have tirelessly campaigned to stop the application near their homes going ahead and gave a presentation to councillors.

Afterwards Mrs Baker said: “We are not totally out of the woods and we cannot go out and celebrate whole-heartedly at the moment, but we are delighted we persuaded the committee it is such a ridiculous place.”

Concerns have been raised about the children’s play area, which would be rebuilt on compensatory land, being at risk of becoming waterlogged and being too far away for parents to see youngsters. However, Manton House Estate say they have carried out extensive assessments.

Residents also claim the land, which was used as firing range during both wars, has existing unexploded ordnance underneath. Last year, a live grenade was found and dealt with by a bomb squad.

Potential traffic problems as well as the visual impact were among the other issues but Wiltshire Council Highways and Environment Agency have not objected to the plans.

It is the second time both parties have been caught up in the planning row as the original application was refused last year. It consisted of 46 homes at the Roger’s Meadow amenity space plus recreational space.

Despite the amended plans having fewer homes and the play area moving and becoming bigger, residents are still not impressed. However, councillors said it was an improved but echoed the residents’ concerns.

Richard Cosker speaking on behalf of his clients Guy and Ben Sangster of Manton House Estate told councillors extensive assessments have been carried out and feedback and concerns from last year had been taken onboard.

He added: “It has been clear from recent proposals in Marlborough people want more than just retirement homes built in the town and this proposal is a great opportunity for affordable housing.”

But Marlborough Town councillor Justin Cook said: “No one is saying Marlborough does not need new housing developments, especially affordable housing for its young people which we are handling in the neighbourhood plan we are doing at the moment, we are just saying this sight is not the right one to meet this demand.”