ANXIOUS villagers will have to wait a few more weeks to find out if controversial plans for the conversion of a landmark hotel have been approved by Swindon planners.

Owners John and Carol Hawken are hoping to have a major extension added to Chiseldon House Hotel.

But Swindon Council's planning committee has deferred a decision until January 13 to enable a site visit by its members, so councillors can see the hotel for themselves.

The deferment was called for by ward councillor Jemima Milton (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon).

"There's such a lot of strong feeling about this in the village," said Coun Milton.

"The major concerns are about parking and noise. If those problems can be addressed, then I think the objections will disappear.

"It's a very difficult issue because we don't want to be stopping more employment coming to the village.

"Unfortunately, this is an issue that's split the village, so it would be wrong to rush into a decision. I can appreciate the argument from both sides, so we need to sort it thoroughly."

The plans include 16 new bedrooms in a four-storey extension, which will have one level completely below ground.

Some of the bedrooms would be in the roof, reducing the impact of the structure to that of a two-storey building.

Two function rooms and a bar below ground would be designed around a sunken courtyard.

Protests, in addition to those from Chiseldon residents, have come from protection groups and the parish council.

The Georgian Group has protested on the grounds that "the proposed extension would be highly damaging to the listed building terms of its scale and situation."