THE future of the Bell Field in Luckington still hangs in the balance after a meeting of district councillors last week.

Cirencester-based developer Colburn Homes wants to build ten, two and three bedroom, houses on the land, which has remained undeveloped for years.

Despite 31 letters of objection, North Wiltshire District Council gave the scheme permission at a meeting in March but with conditions.

However those conditions, which included a contribution to the local primary school, were not met to the satisfaction of the council and the resubmitted plans had to be considered again.

A further 50 letter of objection were received by the council, and councillors, at a meeting on Thursday, decided to defer the scheme until their next meeting.

Agreement could not be found over the provision of affordable housing and the size of a donation to the primary school. Councillors were concerned after it was revealed that agreement had not been reached on the number of affordable houses to be built at another development in the village, at South End House, where 17 homes are due to be built.

Colburn Homes agreed 50 per cent of the Bell Field would be retained as open space, but its offer of £20,000 to the primary school was below the £50,000 councillors had asked for when they originally gave permission.

District councillor John Thomson said there was confusion that needed to be resolved.

"There is confusion over affordable housing on the South End site that has a material affect as to whether we want affordable housing on the Bell Field site."

The managing director of Colborn Homes, Martin Evan, said the offer on the table was a sign of the firm's goodwill and not negotiable. He said: "We are mystified to be honest.

"We though the proposals were acceptable to everybody. There is no education contribution required under legislation and we are not required to build any affordable units. As a gesture we offered to make a payment of £20,000."

The site has caused controversy within the village.

In a letter of objection to the district council, villager Carolyn Hewitson said: "Building on this green land of ancient meadow situated at the heart of the village, which the previous owners managed, will detract from, not enhance, the character of the centre of Luckington, whatever the developers might state."

Nigel Smith, of Hollis Gardens, also wrote in protest.

He said: "It is an open space from where you can view many wonderful buildings. The access to the site would cause increased danger to people crossing the road as it is very close to a bad bend."

There were some who supported more houses in the village.

Alison Dyer, of Northend Gardens, Sherston, wrote in to say that she had to leave Luckington because of the lack of affordable housing.

She urged councillors: "Please give young people of the village a chance and build affordable housing on the Bell Field site.

"In the last 20 years over 50 youngsters, including myself and siblings, have left the village.

"The result will be that in 20 years the school will close, the post office and village store will close and the pub will close and we will be left with pensioners."

Coun Thomson said that although he was against the scheme it needed a pragmatic approach to get the most for the village.

He told the Gazette: "I am still against it but I understand there have been previous applications and this one has been modified to such an extent it is probably very difficult to defend an appeal."