An eco-friendly Warminster man is determined to build a house underground despite seeing his initial plans thrown out.

Clive Michael, 72, hopes his dreams of building an earth shelter on land off High Street, in Chapmanslade, near Warminster, will become reality after lodging an appeal with the planning inspectorate through architect Alvin Howard.

The earth shelter, which is designed to last more than 1,000 years and would be built using low emission concrete and recycled stone and rubble, was refused planning permission by West Wiltshire District Council’s planning committee on August 21 as it was deemed to be 'outside of village policy limits'.

Mr Michael, a semi-retired consultant, said: “I thought it was ridiculous that it was rejected because it’s on a piece of land that can’t be used for anything else.

“It’s surprising that in these days when people are crying out for houses, and to build carbon neutral ones, that the planners didn’t have more foresight to look at it in real terms.”

Planning officers said it was not certain whether the project would be sustainable and there were also concerns from the Environment Agency about sewerage disposal.

The two-floor earth shelter would feature a hallway, kitchen, office, conservatory, dining room, lounge and a double garage. The shelter would be set into the ground, with windows and a conservatory allowing light into the home.

The two main benefits of an earth shelter are that it takes on the temperature of the soil around it, and isn't attacked by above ground emissions that deteriorate buildings.

Mr Michael, who lives in Sean House off High Street, with wife Mary, 68, said: “Eco homes are something I discovered about 14 years ago. It has always appealed to me. It is cheap to live and is good for the environment.

“It’s a site that is obviously crying out for it and it is so eco-friendly.”

A date has not yet been set for the appeal.