HOUSING developer Persimmon has buckled under pressure from road safety campaigners and agreed to fund a lollipop warden for a school.

The firm has also brought forward work on safety signs and cycle paths to Calne's new Fynamore Primary School, after a campaign by parents.

"It is a great result," said campaign leader Justin Oliver, whose nine-year-old son Luke attends the school.

He has received written confirmation from Persimmon that it will put warning signs up on the approach to the school this week. The firm says the cycle paths will be completed by July 10 and the crossing guard's wages will be paid as soon as an appointment has been made.

Mr Oliver, who is chairman of the Friends of Fynamore School, has pledged to keep up the pressure on the developer to make sure it honours its obligations.

"The school opened last September and nine months later things are finally happening. What would have happened if I hadn't kicked up a stink?" he said.

Mr Oliver, of Corfe Crescent, Calne, collected a 154-signature petition in May from concerned parents, which he sent to Wiltshire County Council. He also enlisted the help of MP Michael Ancram.

The school was paid for by the developers, which is still building houses around the site.

Persimmon Wessex managing director Richard Briggs said: "The health and safety of local residents is a priority to Persimmon and we are keen to work together to ensure that all the necessary precautions are in place."

He added that work on the cycle path had been brought forward because of residents' concerns. Mr Briggs wrote to Calne Town Council last week to confirm the timetable of works around Fynamore.

He pledged the final surface for the pedestrian path will be installed by July 21 and said the company would fund the employment of a school crossing warden for the nine months the developers are working on the nearby Beechgrove site.

Persimmon's offer should clear the way for the next stage in Calne's housing boom.

The firm's application for planning permission to build 149 homes off the main Lickhill Road was due go before North Wiltshire District Council's development control committee last night.

An earlier application had been deferred by the committee because it wanted further information about the completion of the cycleway network leading to Fynamore School.

Members were due to receive an update on the situation at Thursday night's meeting, when they were expected to give the go-ahead to the new homes plan.