MUM Tracy Reeves said she fears for the safety of her three children if a new road is allowed a few feet away from her house in Hillworth Road, Devizes.

Kennet District Council's planning committee has given permission for housing on the former Wansdyke Nursery.

The joint scheme between Hannick Homes and Sarsen Housing Association, is for 12 private houses and eight low cost homes for rent.

Sarsen originally planned to knock down two of its homes, two semi-detached houses, to enable access to the site, but has now decided to build an access road within feet of Ms Reeves' home, one of the semis.

It will involve knocking down her carport and two sheds, and the access road will also go through a large part of her rear garden.

A Sarsen spokesman said it was planning to put a safety rail up outside Ms Reeves' side door.

He said Sarsen had decided against demolishing her house and the neighbouring house because there is a shortage of houses.

Ms Reeves, 33, objected to the planning application for the housing scheme, which was approved last Thursday.

She said: "I understand there is a demand for houses but I am concerned at the prospect of a road just outside my side door.

"I have a lot of friends who bring children to my house and during the summer the door is usually open. If a child strayed outside I fear they could be knocked down.

"I will lose about three quarters of my back garden, which the children love to play in. They are going to get bored with very little area to play in. Sarsen has said it will compensate me but there will not be much space left in the back garden."

Ms Reeves was also concerned that trees which back on to her garden were covered by a tree preservation order and should be retained.

A spokeswoman for Kennet District Council said the most important trees would remain.

The access road will serve the new homes and a number of parking spaces will be provided there and on a grass area in the crescent of Hillworth Road.

Kennet councillor Ray Taylor said the scheme was an innovative one for a difficult site.

"It has been done quite creatively and these are the best plans we have seen so far," he said.

He said he had asked council planning officers to see if a back door could be built at Ms Reeves' home to replace the side door.