VILLAGERS in Pewsey are accusing Kennet District Council of money grabbing over a land deal.

They fear that a large part of the £1,000,000 which could be raised will end up going into district council coffers instead of into village schemes.

Kennet owns the access from Broomcroft Road to the area of development land that stretches through to the High Street.

Talks are taking place about developing the land known locally as the Whatley's site as part of a village centre regeneration scheme.

Kennet owns the Hallgate House car park which would provide a key access to the development site.

Its community development executive committee is being recommended by officers to stipulate that the first £450,000 from any land disposal should go into Kennet's capital programme with any money over and above this sum being earmarked for investment in Pewsey schemes.

Parish council vice-chairman Phil Stevens said people in the village took the view that any money from the sale of the land at Hallgate car park should remain in Pewsey.

He said: "Until we know the value of the land and how much Kennet might be getting we really don't know what, if anything, Pewsey will get."

Coun Stevens said that instead of Kennet trying to generate funds by its proposal of introducing pay and display parking in Pewsey it would be better to wait and see how much the land deal will bring.

"I am told they intend keeping the first £450,000 regardless of what the land goes for," said Coun Stevens. "But I'm told they usually keep all so this may be a good deal."