A LONG-AWAITED public inquiry into an appeal against the refusal of permission for 150 new homes alongside the A4 land north of Bath Road in Corsham has been postponed – after the first day.

The planned four-day enquiry chaired by planning electorate James Murray, saw people voicing their fears over Gladman Developments’ plans.

Gladman was appealing against a Wiltshire Council condition which stops it from starting work on the development.

But at the end of the first day on Tuesday the company asked for an adjournment, so it could respond to evidence produced in November 2019 over the impact of water on the proposed foundations they had produced.

Chairman of the Pickwick Association, David Taylor, said: “It was an impossible situation. The inspector had to let them. People were angry, it is a bullying attitude by Gladmans who seem to think they’re able to get away with anything because they have so much money.

“Everyone felt completely deflated because they had worked so hard and thought the matter would be finished off.”

On Tuesday Paul Tucker, representing Gladman Developments, Zack Simons for Wiltshire Council and Andrew Parkinson representing the Pickwick Association, who are both opposing the appeal, all gave their opening statements.

Mr Tucker said: “We are aiming to narrow the areas of dispute with a statement of common ground.

“A noise statement scheme of vibration testing took place in April 2019. The noise and vibrations wouldn’t exceed the required levels and can be insured with the statement in the enquiry. We want to make it clear we dispute the vibration claims from the opposing side.”

The public were given a chance to have their say over whether the homes should be approved.

Matt Whitelaw, who lives in Pickwick, said: “If full planning permission for 150 homes goes ahead they will be positioned above a mine. Legally they will have to be advised on this. It is a working quarry which is licensed to be working until 2042.

“If I was one of the people purchasing housing I would want a 100 per cent cast iron guarantee that no works would go ahead, as who would want to live in a house like that.”