TOWN councillors in Marlborough have sided with neighbours who say a plan to put two houses on a single plot at Upper Churchfields would be over development.

On Monday the council's planning committee discussed an outline proposal to demolish the existing bungalow called Nigella and erect two houses on the site.

Letters of objection were received from two neighbours who said two houses would be over development.

Retired newspaper editor Bob Wise and his wife Elsie said they were surprised to see a proposal for two houses on the site.

Donald Heath, whose home is next door to the bungalow, said houses would reduce the amount of light to his home. "We would lose our privacy. At present we are not overlooked."

Mr Heath said the sewer serving existing homes in Upper Churchfields was old and collapsing in places and problems with it would be more acute if it served two more homes.

Coun Maurice Cooper said: "Most of the properties up there are bungalows and if we have two houses in the middle of them they will stick out like a sore thumb."

Councillors agreed to object on the grounds of over development, loss of privacy and light for neighbours, inadequate parking and an increase in traffic on the unmade lane.