PLANS to build a home on land that was once a walled garden of a coaching inn and later the site of magistrate courts have been approved despite objections from the Trust For Devizes.

Wiltshire Council has given the go-ahead for the three-bedroom home at Northgate Street, Devizes after changes to the plan were made in November.

But Richard Ormerod from the Trust for Devizes did not think the revisions went far enough. He said: "The proposals conflict substantially with the Devizes Neighbourhood Plan proposal for eight dwellings on this site, and therefore with the strategy for meeting the community's housing needs in a sustainable manner. The application proposal is a conspicuous waste of land.

"The proposals are for an alien and wasteful form of development which conflicts with the objectives to conserve and enhance Devizes Conservation Area, and to conserve Northgate House, its features and setting."

He had asked for the project to be considered by the eastern area planning committee but it was finally agreed by officers.

In a report they said: "Historic England originally replied raising concerns on heritage grounds. But had no objection to the revised scheme."

Historic England said: "The introduction of a dwelling within the grounds of the Grade II* listed Northgate House will cause a degree of harm to its setting - nevertheless, if the principle of development is to be accepted, then we consider that this amended scheme has acted on our previous advice, and largely addresses our concerns."

Wiltshire Council's conservation officer also originally objected on the grounds of harm to the significance of Northgate House and poor design but did not object to the revised design put forward by Mr and Mrs Couch from Trowbridge.

Agents working for the couple said: "The proposed development integrates with the existing developments in the immediate area and makes a positive contribution to the character of Wiltshire’s urban and rural environments by re-creating a large town garden and sustainable accommodation that is suitable for multigenerational use."

Planning officers said in a report: "The site was previously the walled garden of Northgate House. But more recently was home to a large but temporary Magistrates Court which was decommissioned around 2012.

"The new proposal is for a three bedroom dwelling with study, home studio and detached double garage. The part two storey, part single storey form enables a lower level development in the central part of the site to ensure development bulk is limited from direct views from Northgate House and also maintains views to a gazebo structure."