THE loss of a builders' yard in Pewsey will not affect the vibrancy of the village, Kennet councillors have been told.

Kennet District Council's regulatory committee granted planning permission for a pair of semi-detached houses to be built on the site of M2M builders yard on North Street.

A previous application for three houses on the site was turned down by Kennet in February.

Coun Ann Hayhoe said she congratulated the applicants for taking heed of objections and reducing the number of homes on the site, but she was still concerned at the loss of yet another employment site in the village.

She said: "We will have lost three builders' yards and Alfred's pub to housing and many people have spoken to me about the loss of employment sites in the village. Having work opportunities in Pewsey is what makes it such a vibrant village. It is an important thing to consider."

But her fellow Pewsey councillor, Jerry Kunkler, said that only one woman was employed in a part-time capacity on the site and she would be accommodated in the firm's other site.

He said: "The parish council supports this application. It will be an improvement to the area."