RESIDENTS of Marlborough are outraged after hearing Aster Housing have launched an appeal against the rejection of plans to build two houses in Newby Acre.

Objections from the Town Council and Wiltshire planning committee led to the plan to build two houses on the estate, which would see the existing car park and green space built on, being turned down.

Maria Scarr, 54, resident of Newby Acre, said: “I live next to the site, it isn’t just going to affect me but it will affect everyone. The residents are fuming it has gone to an appeal after being rejected by the local council and Wiltshire Council.

“The loss of the parking and green spaces will have a big impact on the area, we have neighbours fighting for space at the moment. The proposed houses are not in keeping with the surrounding housing. When there is personal feeling and issues raised it should not be ignored, short of lying in the street I don’t quite know what else can be done.”

The appeal was discussed at the recent Marlborough Town Council planning meeting, after which a council spokesman said: “The Town Council raised objections when this was at the application stage. Councillors discussed the appeal and have agreed to send written representations in response to the appeal statement.”

Mary Claridge, 57, of Priors Field, was part of the original group of people who campaigned against the planning application in December of last year and still strongly believes the development will have a negative effect on the area.

Mrs Claridge said: “ The paperwork has to be done and sent over by June 10. When the application was first submitted we had 45 letters of objection sent to the council and over 100 signatures on a petition. The independent assessor will read those letters again.

“It is really about Aster saying it is low cost housing but it was proposed to build a two and three-storey house which doesn’t mean low cost. The car park is well used and the roads are usually clogged with people leaving work, it is also a main bus route.

“We are absolutely furious, residents, the Town Council and the committee in Trowbridge were all against it.”

A spokesman from Aster said: “We have submitted a planning appeal to build new homes at Newby Acre and are currently awaiting the outcome.”