PERMISSION to build 18 houses after the demolition of a farm in Ashton Keynes has been refused.

Applicant Adrian Gleed was refused permission to build on Wheatley’s Farm, High Road, because the site was located outside of the limits of development defined for Ashton Keynes in Wiltshire Council’s planning strategy.

As well as this Wiltshire Council added that the new houses would be at risk of flooding, would not be well served by public transport and lacked any provisions for affordable housing.

The council’s director for economic development and planning Alistair Cunningham wrote: “In accordance with paragraph 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), this planning application has been processed in a proactive way.

“However, due to technical objections or the proposal’s failure to comply with the development plan and/or the NPPF as a matter of principle, the local planning authority has had no alternative other than to refuse planning permission.”

A total of 23 people took the time to respond to the council about the plans with some noting that it was at risk of flooding and other suggesting that it would be a good way to bring more money to the village.