PLANS to convert an old stable into a house in Marston have been knocked back by Wiltshire Council.

Mr and Mrs Pearce have had plans to convert a stable building at Close Farm on Close Lane, Marston into a four-bedroom home.

The couple also put in for a change of use application to allow for a storage building to be used as a stable.

Wiltshire Council’s planning officers rejected the Close Farm plans, as it was believed the plans would cause harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

In their report, they said: “The proposed dwelling would result in the loss of the rural character and appearance of the site and would have an adverse impact on the setting of the Marston Conservation Area.

“The development would result in less than substantial harm to this heritage asset where the public benefits of the scheme would not outweigh that harm.

“There are no exceptional circumstances or material planning considerations which justify the approval of the proposed development, and the unsustainable form and nature of the proposal would result in significant harmful social and environmental impacts over and above the fall-back position."

The parish council had also disagreed with the bid adding that the proposals did nothing for the village as a whole.

One commenter, Joy Reardon wrote: “I do not consider Close Lane to be suitable for further development, unless the Lane is upgraded with drainage and resurfacing. It is a single track lane.”