PLANS to build 400 affordable homes in west Wiltshire have been delayed as a decision to approve dozens of possible sites for the project is under review.

West Wiltshire District Council's cabinet voted last Wednesday to accept a list of possible sites, including several car-parks, to provide land for homes under a private finance initiative scheme.

The decision sparked outrage among campaigners across the district who face losing vital car parks to the project.

After hearing the decision had gone ahead despite the public reaction Cllr Ernie Clark proposed calling the decision in.

Four councillors; John Syme, Russell Hawker, Malcolm Rosier and Brian Mudge, backed his proposal which means the matter will now be referred to the council's scrutiny committee.

The committee, chaired by Cllr Tony Phillips, does not have the power to overturn the decision but can refer it back to the cabinet or even the full council.

Cllr Clark said: "From what various councillors have said to me in conversation and email, an awful lot of people feel the public weren't listened to at that meeting and that it was a pre determined decision.

"I'm concerned people will lose confidence in the council after the way it was dealt with.

"It is important the public see that when they have concerns there are councillors who listen to them."

Adrian Bass, who spearheaded the campaign to save Westbury Leigh car park, one of 18 shortlisted sites, said he was delighted.

"It is excellent news as far as we are concerned," he said.

"Immediately after the meeting I raised the issue with Cllr Phillips because I was not happy about the decision and it snowballed from there."

The move means, however, that plans for the affordable homes may not be submitted as early as hoped.

Louise Knox, a spokesman for the district council, said it was impossible to predict exactly how long the delay would be.

"The scrutiny committee were due to have a basic update on PFI at their next meeting but this has been held back," she said.

"The affect on timescales for submitting plans depends on what the scrutiny committee asks for.

"It could theoretically go back to the full council although this is unlikely."

The scrutiny committee will consider the matter at a meeting on Wednesday.