A SET of 49 new houses in South Marston would be against planning policy and threaten the character of the village, according to Swindon Council.

A public inquiry is in progress after the council refused Crown Timber Group plc's application to build homes at Thornhill Road.

Crown Timber says that the 2.04 hectare site next to the Keypoint rail freight terminal would have good services and facilities both from South Marston and Swindon.

Planning inspector John Woolcock was told the site was formerly for employment use but there is no longer a sensible basis for keeping it as such. Company representative Ian Dove said public transport and highway infrastructure matters had been resolved between Crown Timber and the council, and the only bugbear remaining was housing policy.

For Swindon Council, Kate Olley said the proposed development was outside the identified Housing Policy Area for South Marston, and the plan is therefore contrary to the Swindon Local Plan 1999.

The public inquiry was expected to be concluded today, with the planning inspector announcing his decision to both parties in due course.