A DEVELOPER has appealed Wiltshire Council’s decision to reject plans that would see 71 homes built on a greenfield site in Malmesbury.

The Gleeson Developments Limited proposals, which were described as “hugely speculative” by councillors, were turned down towards the end of last year on the basis they were not included in the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Plan.

The decision was heralded by councillors as a victory for the plan.

Gleeson have now appealed the decision, which councillors have admitted was expected.

Town council member Gavin Grant said he is “deeply worried” about the appeal.

“Clearly we, as a community, have adopted a neighbourhood plan that has defined how many houses should be built in Malmesbury and where,” he said.

“If Gleeson win the appeal, it drives a coach and horses through the plan.

“The fact they think the appeal could be successful is concerning.”

Councils have to define land that can be development on over a five-year period to ensure a neighbourhood plan can be upheld.

Cllr Grant has blamed Wiltshire Council for the appeal, saying Wiltshire Council’s “failure to fill the requirement on available land for development” has led Gleeson to “believe they have a case”.

Cllr Budgen, chairman of the planning and environment committee on the town council, said that he hopes this will not matter in this case, as the government recently suggested if a five-year land supply was not defined, then a neighbourhood plan would still take preference.

When the initial planning application was rejected, Cllr Budgen, said it proved the neighbourhood plan was “robust”.

He now says it is “difficult to say” what the outcome of the appeal will be, but insists the town council will defend Wiltshire Council’s original decision on the plans.

“We will be providing their comments to the appeal as we don’t believe that there are grounds for the decision to refuse it to be overturned,” he said.

“The soundness of the plan requires the council to have demonstrate they have a five-year land supply however.”

Gleeson and Wiltshire Council have been contacted for comments.