A PLAN to build a bank instead of a wall at the entrance to a new Corsham housing estate has been approved despite concern by caused by underground springs.

Developers Taylor Woodrow and Persimmon Homes applied to North Wiltshire District Council for permission to alter the plan for a large wall of open concrete panels, and another wall in varying heights up to five metres at the Valley Road access to Pockeredge Farm and Peel Circus.

They wanted to create a slope without a wall from the edge of the road.

Councillors approved the plan despite letters of objections complaining the access was poorly positioned, and fears that the new slope would encroach on a conservation area.

Residents were also concerned the bank might slip because of water erosion and springs.

One resident John Connolly asked councillors to throw out the new plan in favour of something more sympathetic to the area.

Coun Peter Davis said he was very concerned the bank might prove more expensive for the district council to maintain in the long term.

"It will create a tremendous amount of problems for the district council and highways department to maintain because of the underground springs," he said.

But an engineer's report showed the problem of water seepage had been addressed with extensive drains and members agreed to approve the plans as recommended.