Malmesbury could be one step closer to a referendum on its Neighbourhood Plan following an independent examination in the town hall on Thursday morning.

Examiner John Mattocks was appointed to determine whether or not the plan meets the basic conditions that would allow it to be put to community referendum for approval.

Mr Mattocks heard representations on issues relating to the proposed allocation of land on two sites for 170 homes, plus five small workshops.

Both the sites lie between Park Road and the Dyson factory, to the west of Tetbury Hill, adjacent to Malmesbury CE Primary School.

It has taken more than two years of intense work for the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Steering Group to get the plan to this stage.

Group chairman and Wiltshire councillor Simon Killane said: “This is real localism in action and another step on our journey to become the first neighbourhood in Wiltshire to have a real say in shaping our development future.

“I and the other steering group members listened carefully to every comment that he [Mr Mattocks] made and are now busy making minor corrections to make sure that he is satisfied with the plan before he issues his recommendations.”

As well as members of the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Steering Group, which developed the plan, interested parties from Wiltshire Council and Dyson were present and representatives attended on behalf of developers White Lion Land, Gleeson Development Ltd and Persimmon Homes Wessex.

Mr Mattocks held the examination to look at overall housing numbers, highways and access arrangements, employment aspects, design, layout and visual impact and deliverability and viability of the plan.

A report summarising his findings will be issued in due course.

Malmesbury is the first town in the county to reach this stage with its Neighbourhood Plan, something that was recognised by Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles when he rejected an application for 77 homes at Park Road last week.