RESIDENTS in Sharcott, near Pewsey fear the peace and tranquillity of the hamlet will be destroyed if a former potato store is converted into workshops making exhibition stands.

They want Kennet District Council planners to throw out an application for the change of use.

It is the second time in less than a year the residents of the quiet backwater have joined forces in a bid to prevent commercial development of the huge storage sheds at Ayrshire Farm.

On the last occasion Kennet refused to grant Malmesbury Potatoes Ltd planning consent to use the sheds for general storage, but the district council decision was overturned on appeal.

Now residents are fighting plans by a Marlborough-based company to use the sheds for prefabricating exhibition stands. Event Exhibition and Design Ltd has its offices in the Wagon Yard, but builds its exhibition stands in former farm buildings in Wootton Rivers.

The company wants to relocate to Sharcott, where it intends using just over half of the 4,260 square metres of the former potato sorting and storage sheds.

Residents say the noise previously, when potatoes were brought in from a large area and sorted before being sent to Smith's Crisps, was tolerable because it was seasonal.

They are concerned electric saws and wood machining tools which Event Exhibition says it proposes using, will create noise all the year round.

They point out there are three industrial estates/business parks within a few miles in Pewsey where the firm could locate.

Peter Barker, who has lived in Sharcott since 1972, said: "It was a lovely peaceful little hamlet when we first came here but that changed when Malmesbury Potatoes moved in and put up the big barns. The noise from the potato packing was seasonal so we could put up with it.

"The new use will mean they will have to use lorries at night. They have to get their exhibition stands to places all over the country."

He said the noise from electric saws and moulding machine would carry across the hamlet. "The sound of saws and other machinery in still air travels enormous distances," he said.

Cosima Armytage who lives in The Manor said: "Families fear the change of use will lead to delivery lorries making regular trips along the single track main street, which has no pavement."

Anna Pearson-Gregory said the access on to the A345 Pewsey-Salisbury road was dangerous for lorries because of poor visibility and the speed of traffic.

Oliver Gates of Manor Farm, Sharcott, said there would be no gain for the community as the firm planned to transfer 23 existing staff and create no new jobs.

Last night, residents handed in a petition to Pewsey Parish Council planning committee.

The Council for the Preservation of Rural England has supported the residents' view that the hamlet is the wrong place for commercial development.