VILLAGERS in Market Lavington are considering their next move after the Local Government Ombudsman turned down their complaint against Kennet District Council over the granting of planning permission for a housing estate near their homes.

Residents of Southcliffe Road were furious when district councillors approved a plan to build 17 homes, 13 houses and four flats. Nine of the homes are affordable homes for rent.

The council had already turned down an identical planning application following an impassioned plea from Market Lavington's district councillor Dr John Reid.

He said some of the land was outside the limits of the village and Market Lavington has more social housing that it can support.

He also reflected the concern that the new development would bring to nearly 200 the number of homes on the Fiddington Clay estate, a cul-de-sac development with only one entrance.

The county council guidelines recommend a maximum of 50 houses on a cul-de-sac site.

The developers, Lovell Partnerships, had appealed against the decision and a public inquiry had been fixed to take place at West Lavington Village Hall today. Following the council's decision, however, it had been cancelled.

One resident, Ayron Capon, who lives in The Paddock, immediately behind where the new houses would be built, said: "It is absolutely unbelievable. I can't believe councils can act this way.

"It was a tragedy that Dr Reid couldn't be there at the second meeting because he had a hospital appointment. I have been told by a planning officer that if he had been at the meeting the second planning application would not have been approved.

"The councillors knew this but they still passed it. What does that say about local democracy?"

Mr Capon complained to the Local Government Ombudsman but was told by investigator Sarah Singleton: "The council has to determine each planning application in accordance with is merits and relevant planning policies and laws and to consider a planning application even if there is a pending planning inquiry.

"I recognise that you disagree with the council's decision to grant permission for the development near to your home.

"However, I see nothing in the papers before me to suggest that the committee was not aware of all the relevant facts, including your objections, the location of one house outside the village envelope and the impact onto the cul-de-sac when they reached that decision."

Mr Capon said: "I don't know what we are going to do now. We cannot afford to go for a judicial review, so we will write to Michael Ancram MP and get his advice."