VILLAGERS in Corston have criticised revised plans for 11 houses on a greenfield site behind the Radnor Arms.

Bath-based property developer Mark Lawrence, of Kai-Max, bought the pub last January and said he is committed to keeping it running if it can generate investment.

In July the plans were displayed in the village hall, when villagers expressed reservations about the intrusion to privacy of two four-bedroom houses on the south side of the development.

Revised plans presented on Friday showed that one of the houses has been made a two-bedroom bungalow. The angle of both homes facing south has been changed to make them less intrusive, and land has been excavated 1.5m to lower them.

As before, permission is also being sought for two two-bedroom houses and one three-bedroom home that will be sold to a housing association, as well as two luxury five-bedroom houses. The development also includes two semi-detached four-bedroom homes, a one-bedroom cottage and a two-bedroom cottage.

In the updated plans increased space has been allowed for cars to manoeuvre near driveways and more open space has been set aside around the pub.

In addition the car park is to be increased to take around 38 cars, the layby has been shortened and the bus stop is to be moved nearer the village hall.

Parish councillor Peter Hatherell said he fears the plans could set a precedent for future housing in the village, particularly in the adjacent playing field.

"I am a parish councillor but I speak for myself and I am against the proposal in its entirety," said Mr Hatherell, of Mill Lane, Corston.

Georgina Pickard lives along the A429 through Corston. She said the speed limit along the road should be reduced before building is allowed.

"I have lived here 18 years and they have to do something about the road, then deal with the housing," said Mrs Pickard.

Ann Skinner, who also lives on the A429, said she thought it was too large a development for the size of the village.

"We have no facilities and it will generate more traffic and the entrance to the development is not safe because kids have to cross that road," she said.

Peter Baker, of Foxmead, Corston, said he was also concerned about the increase in traffic. "We live behind the reading rooms and sometimes have a job to get out on to the main road, so how will the people be able to get out from these new houses?" he asked.

Mr Lawrence said the development was desperately needed to finance the refurbishment of The Radnor Arms and to provide affordable housing for young people in the village.

"We will spend whatever it needs but the way to do that is by utilising the two and a half acres of open space behind," said Mr Lawrence, 43. "We are prepared to take a risk and put some quality housing in, in a sympathetic Cotswold style."

He said highways experts from Wiltshire County Council said the reduction of the layby, and the introduction of the junction, could slow traffic down.

The plans will go before North Wiltshire District Council's Malmesbury area committee on December 19. Malmesbury St Paul Without Parish Council plans to look at the application again on December 12.