AN APPEAL into rejected plans to build 150 new houses and two office blocks on land north of Bath Road, Corsham has been dismissed by the planning inspector.

Gladmans obtained outline planning permission for the site back in 2015 but this was conditional on the council being satisfied that each and every building would be insulated against noise and vibration from the stone mining activity which takes place underneath the development.

This condition was not met by the Gladman and thus the plans were rejected in August 2018, and having taken plans to appeal time and again – have once more been told no despite revised plans.

Principally, the planning inspector knocked back the appeal by Gladman’s up upholding Wiltshire Council’s assertion the details of the offices proposed alongside the bid “do not ensure that the noise and vibration levels within noise sensitive buildings”.

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Essentially Gladmans is not allowed to build on the land as it failed to meet the requirements set by Wiltshire Council.

The local authority is now in the process of making a claim for the costs of the appeal due to Gladmans’ unreasonable behaviour.

Michelle Donelan MP said she was working with the Corsham community to fight the Gladmans development and was delighted by the outcome of the enquiry.

The university secretary had argued in a letter to the council that the land was not suitable for houses.

She said: “I was really pleased to hear of the outcome of this appeal, it has caused years of unnecessary stress over a site that is so obviously not right for development.

“The Pickwick Association and other residents have done a sterling job and invested a great deal of time objecting and I have been honoured to work with them and support them on this.”

Cllr Ruth Hopkinson, who represents Corsham Ladbrook, said: “Obviously I’m delighted that the inspector saw reason because the Wiltshire Council decision to reject the application was right all the way along.

“The fact that Gladman had managed to string out for two or three years is a disgrace and abuse of the system.

“The basic core of the argument is that it makes absolutely no sense for their to be house-building above an active stone mine.

“Particularly one when the mineral rights last for another 20-odd years. I don’t object to development, per se, but I do object to development that doesn’t meet the needs of the community, jeopardises anyone who buys the house, and does not fit in with Corsham’s neighbourhood plan.”

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Wiltshire Council and the Pickwick Association will have also been awarded costs for the appeal.

Another bid by CARE UK to build an 80 bed care home on the same on the same land will go to appeal later this year.

The council refused planning permission for the care home because the applicant did not demonstrate the need for the facility in the area.