GRATEFUL applause greeted councillors' decision to throw out a plan to build 22 houses on a derelict farmyard in the centre of the picturesque village of Urchfont, near Devizes.

Members of Kennet District Council's regulatory planning committee met on site on Monday to reach a decision on Charles Church's scheme to redevelop the farmyard.

The councillors were able to see the village at its best. On a crisp, cold but sunny afternoon, mums and children were feeding ducks on the pond which fronts the site.

Protesters had strategically parked their cars so that tractors and lorries had difficulty in squeezing past, illustrating their point that the development will create parking problems.

The councillors walked around the site, followed at a respectful distance by the 50 or so villagers who had come along to witness their deliberations.

Eventually the councillors retired to the village hall where chairman John Booth thanked the villagers for their interest and participation.

Coun Colin Stone, who lives in the village, told the meeting: "The main concern is the density of the traffic. You saw what it's like today with the sort of traffic around."

He added that the proposed buildings would overwhelm the centre of the village, which is designated an area of minimum change.

Coun Chris Humphries said: "I wonder about the impact of putting all these houses up in one hit. I would prefer to see the development phased."

Coun Patricia Courtman said the villagers were clearly not happy and suggested asking the officers to negotiate a smaller number of houses.

But senior planning officer Mike Wilmott told the meeting that the developers were unlikely to make any more concessions and wanted the application determined.

Councillors voted unanimously to reject the application. The refusal is almost certain to go to appeal.

Peter Cook, who has been co-ordinating the villagers' opposition to the scheme, said: "We did jolly well.

"We haven't over-egged our campaign but we have clearly made our point. It is now out of our control and depends on what the inspector says at the public inquiry.

"But at least we have delayed them."