FAMILIES living next to the field where the Pewsey Carnival assembles are lodging objections to a plan to sell off part of the site.

Residents in the hamlet of Kepnal say that the planning application for a house and garage submitted by the carnival committee has taken them by surprise.

The proposed buildings, submitted by West Grafton architect, Michael Fowler, would stand on the Pewsey Carnival field.

One resident who asked not be named said: "It's a three-storey mansion which we do not want to see built in this green belt area."

Mother-of-three Maggie Roberts said that although her family were supporters of the carnival, they were shocked to hear of the planning application.

"We support the carnival as an event wholeheartedly and my two daughters were both in the carnival last year," she said.

But she added: "This is a green field site well outside the area of Pewsey which is earmarked for development and we fear that any building in this field would set a precedent."

Mrs Roberts said that as the people of Pewsey had funded the original purchase of the field, the carnival committee were only guardians of the land and she was surprised to hear of plans to build on it.

The proposed house, with its access off Kepnal Lane, would close the rear pedestrian access to the field, which residents say is a well-used pathway.

Airline pilot Grant Spence and his wife Carol say they bought their house next to the carnival field four years ago because of its views across the open countryside.

Mr Spence said: "We are certainly not happy to see this planning application from the carnival committee.

"There are various things about this application which are contrary to current planning law.

"This would set a very dangerous precedent for other development in some of the big gardens in this hamlet.

"We are objecting because we lose the unrivalled views across the Pewsey Vale which we bought this house for."

The parish council chairman, Colin Lampard, said he was aware of the strength of opposition from residents in Kepnal. He said they would be welcome to attend the planning committee in the Bouverie Hall on January 9 when the application would be discussed.

Carnival chairman Richard Giles could not be contacted yesterday to explain why the committee wants to sell part of its field for a house.