NORTH Wiltshire district councillor Michelle Phillips says plans for holiday homes at Oaksey Golf Course are like creating a mini holiday camp.

The plan to build 18 two and three-bedroom holiday homes at Oaksey Golf Course, plus a bunkhouse, was turned down by district councillors at a meeting in Chippenham last week.

Owner John Cooper wanted to build the lodges near to the golf clubhouse and a track leading to Wick Road.

He had already put in a previous application to build 30 holiday homes, which had been reduced following consultation with the district council.

The proposal also included parking, and improved access to the site.

Despite a recommendation from council officers to give the scheme permission, the district councillors said it was too remote from the main complex.

At last week's meeting Mr Cooper said the venture would create jobs and would also help him to expand.

But Coun Phillips, who represents Crudwell, said she was concerned that, if it got the go-ahead, it would be like a holiday camp.

"I think the holiday homes would be an enormous visual impediment on the site," she said. "It would have to have a children's play area and would become like Butlins.

"I can understand why people in Oaksey are not exactly waving flags over this."

Villager Jill Nielson said there are hundreds of holiday homes at The Cotswold Water Park.

"We are awash with them, and I urge you to reject the application," she said.

Ms Nielson said she was also concerned that drainage issues at the site had not been properly dealt with.

Oaksey Parish Council opposed the plans, 17 residents wrote letters of objection against it and 40 people outside the village also opposed it.

Coun Pat Sears supported the application and said Mr Cooper had adjusted the application well following previous criticisms.

"I think the applicant has responded to the comments from people who live in the village and he has made various amendments accordingly," she said.

But Coun Toby Sturgis said he could not support the plan.

"As much as I would welcome some tourist accommodation I cannot go along with what is before us," he said.