CONTROVERSIAL plans for 180 homes in Malmesbury are set to be scrutinised by Wiltshire Council in a bid to prevent the development blighting the lives of those who live nearby.

Residents of the Reeds Farm estate fear that the layout of the roads and drainage system at Bloor Homes' planned Filands development could cause traffic and flooding problems in the area.

As a result, Cllr Simon Killane has now ‘called in’ the application, meaning councillors on Wiltshire Council's planning committee will make a decision on whether to approve the scheme, instead of planning officers.

This will also allow residents to air their concerns to councillors at the meeting where a decision on the plans is made.

Bloor Homes has said it will listen to the concerns of the community over the layout of the estate.

Last year, outline plans for Filands were passed by a government planning inspector at an appeal, after being refused repeatedly by Wiltshire Council.

Last month, Bloor Homes submitted a more detailed full application to the council, with road and drainage layouts and the placement of the new homes.

The application was met with anger by the town council and residents of Reeds Farm, which is north of the Filands site, because they were not consulted before it was submitted.

They are concerned that the plans, which have different drainage and road access details than the original application, could worsen an existing flooding problem on their estate, cause traffic congestion and take away their privacy.

Miles Widnall, said: “The community is committed to seeing the town developed appropriately but there is no consultation in Bloor’s proposals.”

Korinna Ferreira said she was concerned she would have a block of flats and a car park overlooking the back of her property, meaning she would have "no privacy".

Explaining his decision to call in the application, Cllr Killane said: “I have listened particularly carefully to the concerns of local residents living near the proposed development site."