PLANS to expand a village pub and build houses next to it have split a village.

Some residents of Corston have written to complain about the project at the Radnor Arms but another 50 have signed a petition supporting the plan.

Landlord Jonathan Makins said that the scheme is vital for the future prosperity of the pub and it could close if planning permission is refused.

The pub was bought from Whitbread Brewery in January 2000 by Bath-based property developer Kai Max. The firm wants to build five houses, extend the pub buildings, build a car park on adjacent land and to change the location of the current access to the site.

These are the second set of plans submitted by the firm. A plan to build 11 houses, including three affordable homes, was turned down by North Wiltshire District Council at the beginning of this year.

Ann Skinner, who lives next to the pub, is worried that the development would increase traffic and cause a danger to children.

She said: "The A429 is already extremely busy and the exit comes out at a point that is one of the safest crossing points in the village.

"This section is heavily used by pedestrians, particularly by children crossing the road to catch the bus or use the village playground.

"The new houses would mean a minimum of 20 new vehicle movements a day. I have been asking for a pedestrian crossing there for a long time and feel that if measures were made to address this, the proposals would be more acceptable."

The pub has started a petition to try and raise support in the village for the new development.

Mr Makins, who leases the pub from Kai Max and has run it for the last four years with his wife Chichi, said: "We have over 50 names who say they support the plans.

"As far as I know there are only a few people in the village who have complained to the council."

Mr Makins said the scheme was key to making the pub viable. "We want to improve the facilities in the pub and expand our dining area by 50 per cent, which will make a big difference to our income and secure our future in the village." he said.

"We have no funds ourselves to expand and we need the £100,000 from the development of the land. Closing is a possibility if the planning in not allowed. This is the only pub in the village and it would disastrous if it were to close. "

He added: "Business is steady but it has been at the same level for some time and summer is our busiest time."

The council has received six letters of objection from residents.

Villager Margaret Bayliss said: "My view is more vehicle activity will result in a serious accident particularly turning right from the site by crossing both lanes.

"Most vehicles will inevitably turn right as they head towards the M4 and Chippenham."

Mark Lawrence, owner of Kai Max, said he felt that the rejection of the original plans, which included three affordable houses, amounted to a missed opportunity and wants to use some of the money raised by the development to renovate the pub.

"The council refused the initial planning because it was outside the physical limits of the village and we have reduced the number of houses in response to that," he said.

The plans will be voted on at a meeting of North Wiltshire District Council on Wednesday.