MEMBERS of the public attended a meeting in Corsham to learn more about plans for the historic Hartham Park estate in Corsham.

The multi-million pound plans for the 18th century country estate include the construction of new offices to house a rural future centre, a new sports pavilion, plant room and repairs to the famous Sticke tennis court.

The rural future centre would be somewhere offering businesses a mentoring service as well as just office space.

Town councillors supported the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, but the possibility of traffic congestion around the site and problems with sewage were among the issues raised.

In a resolution reached by Corsham councillors, it was proposed the application should take potential problems with traffic congestion into account.

Residents and councillors also asked for sewage management to be considered, as this is something currently managed for neighbouring homes by the estate.

Hartham Park provides offices varying in size from 120 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft.

But a shortage of office space on site and a recent conservation plan showed an opportunity to enhance the listed buildings on the estate and replace farm buildings and cattle sheds with offices.

There are currently around 230 employees and 47 companies on site, which would expand to 67 companies and around 383 employees if plans get the go ahead.

The proposals would mean 10 per cent of the new development's floor area will form the rural future centre.

Each office would be designed to allow maximum daylight in and minimise energy consumption.

Responding to the issues raised at the council meeting, a spokesman for Hartham Park said: "The discharge from the sewage system has never formally been consented by the Environment Agency or its predecessors.

"The arrangements and ownership of the system are unclear, however Hartham Park plc will fund, as part of the development proposals, a new reed bed sewage system.

"This will expand on the current capacity and deliver a solution that meets the highest standards of the 21st century which will service Hartham Park and two neighbouring residences.

"Hartham Park will continue to manage the existing Hartham Estate treatment plant."

The plans have been submitted to North Wiltshire District Council, who will make a final decision on them at a future meeting.