ANGRY couple Irene and David Baker say they will take North Wiltshire District Council to the High Court if they are not allowed to build a new access to their home at Gore Farm, Heddington.

The Bakers applied to the council for permission for a new road access because they claim it is required to meet health and safety regulations.

But last week the district council's area development control committee turned it down. The Bakers believe a second access is necessary to provide them with a turn-around access for a fire appliance in the case of an emergency.

But planning officer Charles Pescod told the meeting he did not believe it was needed.

"The creation of an access with the requirements set out by the highways authority would have an adverse effect on the character of the area, so I recommend refusal," he said.

The house occupies a prominent position.

It was built in 1991 as an agricultural building, and the Bakers applied for permission to use it as a house.

Their application, and later an appeal, were turned down but the Bakers took it to the High Court, which halted enforcement action because it had been used as a home for more than four years. The highways authority had no objection providing there was a recessed entrance and 120m visibility splays. But planners considered these, along with the new track across the field, would spoil the appearance of the area.

"We want to comply with fire and safety regulations," said Mrs Baker after the meeting.

"To start with, the district council said we needed it."