A LACK of consultation over the possibility of building on land next to Pewsey Sports Centre has angered villagers.

Coun Jerry Kunkler, chairman of the management committee of the Wilcot Road centre, was unaware of the proposal until told by the Gazette.

Wiltshire County Council has earmarked land adjacent to the sports centre as one of two possible sites for a new Kennet area respite care home for people with learning difficulties .

Coun Kunkler said that, while a care home might be a good idea, the land is the only site available for the centre or the Shak youth club to expand.

Long term plans include an all-weather sports pitch on the site and the Shak has its own plans to build an indoor BMX and skateboard park.

Ivor Richards, sports centre manager and the senior youth development officer at the Shak, said: "I am very disappointed that no consultations have taken place.

"I am worried that this could be imposed on us whether we like it or not."

Parish councillor John Cooke said he totally opposed any suggestion of building a care home on the site.

"We have always had long term hopes of getting an all weather playing surface and that is the only area where it can go," he said.

A county council spokesman said the proposal was at an early stage and full consultation would be carried out if Pewsey became a definite option.