Plans to build on the site of the historic almshouses in Corsham have stalled at the eleventh hour after the council demanded more information from the applicants.

A review of two other sites in the town will have to be undertaken to see whether the nine almshouses could be built elsewhere to meet the social housing needs of the area.

The decision to build the nine one-bedroom flats on the grounds of the 1668 almshouses at Pound Pill should have been made on July 21, but it is likely to be postponed until August 11 at the earliest. It had sparked anger amongst 1,000 residents who signed a petition objecting to the idea.

Leading the objectors, Edward James, of Lacock Road, said: “An alternative site will provide the opportunity to build sustainably, to provide adequate living space, and to provide parking and gardening space as required by modern standards, subject to planning. Unfortunately, none of this is likely to be true of the present proposed site.”

Campaigners have set up a website - www.corshamalmshouses.com - to raise the profile of their message.

Last month it was revealed that the organisation responsible for the almshouses - the Lady Margaret Hungerford charity - was investigated by the Charity Commission. A spokesperson said: “After assessing the complaint, we have concluded that there is no regulatory role for the Commission."

The complaint had raised concerns that the application to build the new block of almshouses had been submitted without properly exploring alternative sites, including one offered by Corsham Court owner James Methuen Campbell.