AN OFFICE development plan that could bring 50 new jobs has been opposed by a west Wiltshire town council.

Members of Bradford on Avon's planning committee have recommended refusal for a proposal for offices and 22 homes on land currently occupied by Colour Developments and Keates Garage.

The decision comes amid public anger over new town houses built on the site of the former gasworks, which are near the Colour Developments' Frome Road site.

The developers behind the new office and homes proposals say they feel they are being "tarred with the same brush" and that the opposition to their plan is a "backlash" to the gasworks homes. These have been branded a "monstrosity" by local residents.

Eddie Johnson, director of Donovan Construction, said: "The unfortunate thing is we are being tarred with the same brush as the gas board site.

"Unfortunately we are suffering a backlash on that, but the application should be judged on its own merits and it's very difficult with people still smarting from the development on that place."

Giles Brockbank, director of agents Hunter Page Planning, addressed the council and said: "The current building exhibits architectural merit. It's a well-conceived proposal that has been the subject of intensive negotiations."

He said the office space, designed for small businesses, would create at least 50 jobs.

Several members of the public turned out at a meeting last week to express their concerns. They voiced worries about the height and density of the buildings, and raised issues of parking, all of which were later echoed by several members of the council.

Frome Road resident Valerie Payne said: "My huge concern is the height of the buildings. It's going to enclose us with traffic pollution.

"Another concern is parking. With extra traffic it's going to be even worse. I'm also worried it's going to adversely affect the value of my property."

Norman Ley, of Riverside House, told councillors: "The reason there are so many people here is because of the anxiety that has arisen as a result of the gas works," he said.

During council discussions, Cllr Paul O'Callaghan said: "I think it's overdeveloped. It's also not clear what impact on the town the office employment will have, or what we are going to get."

Cllr Philip Sutton: "I do believe there will be substantial loss of amenity to the people living along Frome Road."

The chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Jocelyn Feilding, said: "What's been worrying the council is the loss of employment space in the town. I personally feel we should recommend refusal at this stage at any rate."