A PUBLIC inquiry will determine whether the "quiet heart" of the village of Urchfont, near Devizes, is to be redeveloped for 14 upmarket homes.

Developer firm Charles Church is appealing against a decision by planning officers at Kennet District Council to turn down its application to build thehouses in a development designed to look like a farmyard at Manor Farm, beside the village's famous duck pond.

The application, a revised one reduced from 24 homes, was not discussed by councillors but was thrown out by officers under delegated powers.

It followed strenuous objections from the parish council and villagers that the plan would destroy the heart of the village and create massive traffic and parking problems around the pond and close to the church.

They were also angry that no affordable homes were included and the houses would be too costly for most people living in the area to afford.

Charles Church bowed to pressure by reducing the number of homes planned for the site from 24 to 14 and included a community shop in their scheme but this was not enough for most villagers who attended a meeting set up by the parish council in March.

Nor was it sufficient for Kennet planners who threw out both applications. Their reasons were that the site occupies a prominent and sensitive location in the designated conservation area and within an area of minimum change.

Although the appeal has been lodged, no date or venue for the public hearing has been set. It is unlikely to take place before the autumn.