CAMPAIGNERS fighting against a row of Bradford on Avon town houses labelled a monstrosity' have welcomed a report which criticises the planning process.

George McDonic, a barrister and planning expert, was commissioned by the Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust to look into the planning process which led to a terrace of five homes being built on the former gasworks in Frome Road.

In his damning report he highlights a number of inconsistencies between the plans and the actual building, which campaigners believe is an eyesore because of its size, glaring roof and blue and white panelling.

Mr McDonic found the building is higher by 0.8 metres than stated in the plans; that published public notices stated the houses would be three-storey, when in fact they are four-storey, and details were not clear about the cladding of the building.

He also notes that a recommendation to refuse permission for the homes by the conservation officer was omitted in a report to West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee, and makes recommendations on how to improve the process in future.

John Seekings, from the Bradford on Avon Action Group, which was set up to fight the gasworks development, said: "Mr McDonic has unearthed proof that officers, despite their denial, were already aware that the building was too high," he said. "Our group also devoted considerable research into officers' apparent failure to ensure that the building's cladding was appropriate. This is another flaw that Mr McDonic has carefully exposed."

He said the most important part of the report was the recommendations to improve the planning process to prevent a similar situation with the upcoming Kingston Mill development.

The group has agreed to lodge a formal complaint about the process to the local government ombudsman. David Moss, chairman of the preservation trust, said: "This report bears out local concern that the planning process has not been working as it should.

"We hope the local government ombudsman will press the district council to adopt its recommendations. "There are many planning applications crucially affecting the heart of Bradford on Avon and we need a planning process in which we can have total confidence."

Louise Knox, a spokesman for West Wiltshire District Council, said the council did not want to comment on the report until it had been considered by the ombudsman.

A copy of Mr McDonic's report is available at Bradford on Avon library or by visiting www.bradfordheritage.co.uk