DESPITE strong opposition, a planning application for a further 150 homes in Melksham has been approved by Wiltshire Council.

The homes, to be built on land east of Semington Road, have been a source of contention for residents after a previous application, by developers Mark Chard & Associates, was rejected last year.

The application was then accepted following a resubmission in January, despite 17 letters of objection citing concerns about wildlife, infrastructure and traffic.

In a letter to Wiltshire Council, Semington Road resident Sawsan Williams said: “I do not want to be in my garden looking at a housing estate which will be ugly, noisy, smelly from car fumes and unpleasant.

“Today, we look at green fields, with deer, birds and an old fox with a bushy tail. I have a young daughter, who enjoys all this.

“We love to watch the farmer harvesting the hay in the field, or even just looking at squirrels or field mice that appear in our garden."

“If this housing estate is built this will change everything for us, and it will not be for the better. This area is currently safe and calm, especially for our family life.”

There are already 260 properties currently under construction in Melksham.

Tim Cook said: “We have, in Melksham, a huge site at the former George Ward School and a site south of Bowerhill, both of which have been identified for housing.

“Potentially these two sites will attract in the region of 2,000 houses minimum. This is more than Melksham’s facilities can cope with as it is.

“Presently, we have one secondary school at capacity. We do not have enough doctors’ surgeries to facilitate this influx.

“The proposed site to which I am objecting is purely a moneyspinner for somebody. It is green fields sandwiched between a smelly sewerage works, and the main A350. It is totally unsuitable for housing.”