DEVIZES Guides are to try again to get planning permission to build a new Guiding centre on farmland on the outskirts of the town.

Their first attempt in September to win permission for a purpose-built centre on the 1.25 hectare site at Gypsy Patch on the Coate Road, offered by a local landowner at a peppercorn rent, failed.

After a site meeting, Kennet district councillors agreed with their planning officers that it was on agricultural land, well outside the town limits, and the building would encourage more traffic along the narrow country road.

They also criticised the lack of detail in the plan.

The Guides are now preparing to return with a more detailed plan that will answer more of the concerns expressed by councillors on the previous occasion.

Ann Lovelock, Commissioner of Guides for the Devizes district, said: "The refusal of planning permission was a terrible blow, but we are not giving up.

"We have been speaking to our agent and he is due to submit another planning application to Kennet either this week or next week.

"It is almost identical to the first plan, except that it contains much more detail."

The Guides were told in September they had to leave their meeting place at the London Road Youth Centre because it was needed for the education of pupils who had been excluded from county schools.

While the 4th Devizes Guides managed to find alternative accommodation at the new Cadet Training Centre at Le Marchant Barracks, others were not so lucky.

Mrs Lovelock said: "We are now spread out all over the town. Some Guides are at the Cadet Training Centre, some at the football club, while some have had to find a space at the Scout Hall in Southbroom Road, and others are at St Andrew's Church Hall.

"It is not ideal and it makes it very difficult for us to communicate.

"A purpose-built centre is what we need, but we have been looking for a piece of land for five years. If we have to let this one go, who knows how long it will take us to find another one?"

The Guides' supporters will be renewing their campaign and will be writing to councillors and other influential people to get their support for the new Guiding Centre.

Meanwhile, the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows are continuing to raise money to build their dream home.

On Saturday they will be packing bags at Sainsbury's supermarket in Monday Market Street from 9am to 5pm.

They are also hoping to attract many local people to their Christmas Fair in the skittle alley at the Bell by the Green pub in Estcourt Street on December 13.