Concerns were expressed this week at the decision to uphold an appeal in favour of controversial plans to demolish and rebuild the Kingdom Hall in Calne.

Certain conditions must be met when the work goes ahead, but Wendy Emmett, who has lived opposite the hall in Ernle Road for three years, said: “This was not the best result.

“This is a close of 14 houses and children play on the large grassed area. This will be done away with and will be a car park. There are not that many children living here, but they come from other streets to play.”

Parents are worried that children would have to cross the busy Hungerford Road to the nearest play area.

“Another concern is that the car park will be increased from nine spaces to 19 – they already fit 19 cars in there so we do not know how many cars will be coming in now,” said Mrs Emmett.”

The former North Wiltshire Development Control Committee rejected the plan in October citing the effect on the amenities and character of the area and increased traffic.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “They cannot start work until they supply us with a landscaping scheme and details of enclosures, trees, fences, and how they will deal with surface water.

“The car parking spaces must be kept for cars, and not be used to store things.”

A government inspector who upheld the appeal has banned the hall being used between 10.30pm and 8am.

The hall is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, who bought it from North Wiltshire District Council.

The original plan received 15 letters of objection from neighbours worried about congestion and loss of green space.