AN application to build 50 new homes in Tetbury was approved today at Cotswold District Council's planning committee only several months after a near identical application was rejected.

The initial application for homes on Quercus Road, Tetbury was rejected by CDC's planning committee in November after it heard the land was designated for employment use and that applicant Blandfield Properties (BP) had failed to fill out a legal agreement that would ensure affordable homes would be included in the development.

BP submitted a similar application, which is much the same apart from the inclusion of information of the economic benefits of the application, such as its potential to support local shops and services and create employment through the construction of the homes.

Tetbury Town Council opposed the application it because it felt that since the previous application was submitted in November more applications have been submitted in the town, which prove there is a need for employment.

Cllr Margaret Rickman said at the meeting today that she was against the application too.

"I think we should keep the land as when the time is right we can build on it for employment and not residential use."

Cllr Topple agreed and said she felt sad about what was being offered.

"All we're doing is building more houses and sending people for employment down the M4 for work," she said.

However, Cllr Barry Gibbs said due to Dyson's recent plans for expansion in Malmesbury, only a few miles from Tetbury, it could offer 5,000 jobs.

The application was approved at today's (Wednesday's) planning meeting with a vote of nine to three with one abstention.