CAMPAIGNERS in Corsham are to continue their fight to stop a housing development on contaminated land despite the lodging of further planning applications.

Corsham Residents Group has been battling to stop developers Persimmon Homes building a new 600-house estate at Pockeredge Farm and Peel Circus on the west side of the town.

They fear that developing the former MoD land, which a council report has shown to be contaminated, may disturb harmful chemicals such as picric acid.

Applications for the first two phases of the estate have now been lodged. Phase one will see 84 homes built on the area at Pocker-edge Farm, with phase two seeing 134 homes at Peel Circus.

Residents have until June 12 to lodge a complaint about phase one and until June 19 for the second phase.

After the estate received outline planning permission earlier this year the group organised a petition to stop the construction of an access road off Hatton Way. This was signed by 637 residents and North Wilts MP James Gray.

The decision on the access road was due to be made on April 30 but was deferred after councillors felt they did not have enough information. The group now fear the developments will be pushed through before the contamination issue is properly addressed.

Campaigner Don Stevenson, of Hatton Way, Corsham said: "I don't see how the council can possibly consider these applications when the access road is part of the detailed plans. They are not considering the big issue of contamination.

"If they are developing the estate in six phases there are six opportunities for this de-contamination business to go wrong.

People will be living next to the contaminated land where other houses are being built."

Mr Stevenson's wife Doreen added: "At the moment there is nothing on the agenda about the deferred decision on the access road.

"The contamination issue has not been addressed. The district council is pushing it through far too fast.

"Nobody is listening to the residents of Corsham. I think it's disgusting. This makes us more determined than ever. We will hold the council personally responsible.

"The notice about phase one is tucked away in the corner in Bethel Road where people can't see it. It is a disgrace. I think the best thing for the council to do is to forget the issue."