GAZETTE & HERALD: PEOPLE living near Quemerford House are fuming after being denied the chance to have their say on plans for the Grade II listed site.

Millionaire owner Bryce McDonnell wants to build 12 luxury homes in the paddock, but neighbours say rare wildlife including water voles, bats and owls needs protecting.

Residents were expecting to voice their opinions at last week's North Wiltshire District Council meeting in Calne, but were left reeling when just a handful of people got to speak.

Martin Grugeon, who lives at The Mill House, said: "What we weren't told was that we had to register to speak. How were we supposed to know that? It wasn't on the agenda and we were given no prior warning.

"In my experience of council meetings the chair is supposed to keep everything on an even keel, but this was the most biased thing I've ever seen in my life."

He accused Mr McDonnell's agent of being allowed ten minutes to put his case across, but said residents' views were cut short.

"We were all extremely unhappy," said Mr Grugeon. "If people had a fair hearing they would have walked away feeling a lot better."

Neighbour Paul Morrison registered to have his three minutes say.

"It was disappointing that more opportunity wasn't given for those people who turned up expecting public participation, as was promised at a meeting in February," he said.

Former town councillor Margaret Russell said she was well aware of protocol at such meetings but even she did not know to register.

"If I wasn't aware that I had to register to speak, how did they expect members of the public to know?" she said. "It was absolutely appalling.

She also said the chairman could have used his discretion to allow people to speak.

But mayor Carol O'Gorman blamed councillors who had been working with the protesters for not warning them.

"If it were me I'd be asking the councillors why they hadn't let me know I needed to register," she said. "After two years of area committees, they should know the rules by now."