FEARS that over-development in Westbury is encroaching on a nearby village have led to the delay of a multi-million pound retail and housing project.

Residents in Dilton Marsh feared the Leigh Park local centre, which would include apartments, shops and a car park, is a step too far for the development.

Plans for the centre were deferred at the West Wiltshire District Planning and Licensing Committee on Thursday night.

Alison Irving, chairman of Dilton Marsh parish council, said: "This is an ongoing problem. When the development began it was for 400 houses near the Westbury end.

"Now it looks like over 1,000 homes with projects such as the school and local centre which will severely impact on Dilton Marsh.

"We are opposing this further development because the village is getting none of the benefits but all of the traffic problems and loss of trade."

But Russell Hawker, councillor and chairman of the Leigh Park residents' association, is backing the proposals.

"Time and time again people are using the same old arguments that just don't add up," he said.

Planning permission for the centre is expected to be raised again at the committee's meeting in January. The centre already has outline planning permission.