A CORNER of the Wiltshire countryside dedicated to war dead has been saved from developers.

A war memorial and cemetery for 99 Australian and New Zealand soldiers, or ANZACs, in Codford was threatened by a bid to build nine houses on adjoining land.

But the plan, described as an 'act of vandalism', was rejected at the West Wiltshire Planning and Licensing Committee on Thursday night.

The plan for nine homes and a new road were earmarked for land next to the graveyard and church, which is owned by resident Josh Stratton and currently used for allotments.

David Shaw, chairman of the Codford and District British Legion, said: "It would be sacrilege and an act of vandalism to put those houses so close to the graveyard."

Councillors objected to the plan because of its size, the detrimental affect on two nearby listed buildings and because it would damage the character of the village including the war cemetery.

Councillors also claimed there was not satisfactory provision of replacement allotments.

But property agent FPD Savills has not ruled out lodging an appeal or submitting a revised plan for the land.

FPD Savills associate Alice Ordidge said: "We are very disappointed. We carried out the proper consultation and believed we had a good plan. We had made lots of compromises and now we are waiting for the official refusal notice before we make a decision in the future."