DEVELOPERS have argued at the Kennet Local Plan public inquiry that greenfield land on the edge of Devizes should be included as a development site.

The land is next to the former police skid pan in Horton Road on the north of Devizes. It was formerly a Ministry of Defence playing field and has stood unused for a number of years.

Developers Berkeley Strategic have objected to the Kennet Local Plan and are calling for the 7.3 hectares of land to be included within the limits of development.

And in written statements to the inquiry last Tuesday, landscape consultant Kevin Light said development of the site would not harm the landscape. He said: "It is not essential to maintain its openness in order to protect the setting of Devizes and the site currently has no function as a local 'gap.'"

But the district council's landscape and countryside officer Will Harley said: "Development of the site will radically change the setting on the A361 Horton Road entrance to the town and will change the character of the setting to its detriment."