MELKSHAM Town Council has refused to support a proposal to build seven new houses on Union Street car park in Lowbourne.

A dozen residents, who live near the car park, attended a council meeting on Monday evening to speak out against the proposal, because they believe it would cause traffic chaos.

West Wiltshire District Council owns the land and wants to build the development as part of a scheme to provide social housing throughout the district. If the proposal went ahead 22 car parking spaces would be lost, which residents argue would lead to illegal parking, added congestion and increased danger for motorists and pedestrians.

After listening to arguments against the proposal from members of the public and fellow councillors, Cllr Joan Kinder said: "I agree with everything said about Union Street.

"I don't think we need houses built on that site."

Cllr Nick Westbrook called on all the residents opposed to the development to write to the district council and lobby the councillors before the cabinet makes a decision on April 5 about whether the site should be developed.