FAMILY brewers Wadworths has been given the go-ahead for a new pub in Melksham by council officers.

The company, which is based in Devizes, has been given permission to convert its off-licence on the corner of Granville Road and Beanacre Road into a community pub. The plan was not put before West Wiltshire District Council's northern area committee because there were no objections.

Melksham mayor Cllr Vic Oakman said he felt very strongly about the application being approved in this way.

The town council discussed the application in September and said the pub would be a valuable amenity but wanted to make sure there was adequate consultation. Parking was also considered to be a problem.

"Although we said we welcomed the plan we did say we were worried about parking and worried about making sure residents knew what was happening and were consulted," said Cllr Oakman.

Cllr Sarah Cardy said she was also surprised the application had not been discussed by a committee. "I cannot believe, due to our concerns, that this application has been decided without going to northern area," she said.

Cllr Davina Griffin said the nature of the application needed discussion by a committee. "It is quite extraordinary that this has gone through on delegated powers. I thought with such an application the district council might have been a bit cautious," she said.

District council planning officer Pat Tidy said the planners looked at the town council's comments and consulted with people in the area. "The difficulty we have got is that there were no firm objections from the town council," she said.