Wiltshire councillors have been accused of cowardice after they agreed not to pursue their reasons for refusal of planning permission for a care village in Devizes.

Although the appeal against their refusal of permission for the St Monica Trust’s care village plans on land at Quakers Walk will still go ahead, Wiltshire Council has handed victory to the developers on a plate after their vote on Thursday.

They were told by Mike Wilmott, the council’s area development manager, that because of the government’s new National Planning Policy Framework, which tilts the balance in favour of all “sustainable” development, the council had no evidence to support its reasons for refusal and would undoubtedly lose at appeal.

He said: “Wiltshire Council is at risk of having costs awarded against it for unreasonable behaviour. The inspector will want to see hard evidence and we don’t have it. And if we haven’t got it, we’re stuffed.”

The council’s Eastern area planning committee’s reasons for refusal were: Concerns about noise from the police helicopter landing pad and Devizes Sports Club; the impact on traffic congestion on London Road; and that the care village may lead to an over-supply of care provision for elderly people in the Devizes area.

John Kirkman, of the local branch of the Campaign for Protection of Rural England, told councillors on Thursday: “It would be a travesty of process if you withdrew your refusal now.

“You arrived at your decision reasonably. We shall support that decision stoutly at appeal. You should, too.”

Health campaigner Judy Rose said health services in Devizes were already under pressure without the addition of 300-plus older people.

Chris Callow, chairman of Roundway Parish Council, said: “You should really be banging on about the Core Strategy (local plan).

“Dig deep to find reasons to support your decision.”

But other councillors were concerned that fighting the appeal would be costly. Coun Richard Gamble said: “By going for refusal we have missed our chance to negotiate with the developer.”

Mr Wilmott’s recommendation was passed by five votes to three.

Afterwards protesters were furious. Mrs Rose said: “This is nothing short of cowardice on the part of councillors and incompetence on the part of the officers.”