'Relief' as plan to demolish garage is blocked

Plans to demolish a garage to make way for five new houses have been turned down by a local council.

Dozens attended a Wiltshire Council meeting to oppose the plans, claiming there would be a loss of jobs and services in Urchfont, near Devizes.

Urchfont Vehicles, which employs nine people, is based on the site - which has been either a garage or forge for more than two centuries.

Councillor Philip Whitehead, who stood down as planning committee chair to oppose the proposals, said building homes there would "destroy 200 years of history, and a viable business".

The committee met on Thursday and agreed to overturn the proposal due to loss of jobs and a local service, despite the site being earmarked for development under the neighbourhood plan.

Residents are "very relieved" following the decision, said Mr Whitehead, but he warned the developer could still appeal the decision.

Tracy Lloyd leases the site and has run the business for 12 years.

She said she has been "completely overwhelmed" by the "unbelievable" support from the community, but admits the possibility of the decision being reversed on appeal is "tough".

"It would cost far too much to move. We just have to keep going until we're evicted," she said.

The threat to her staff - two of whom have worked at the garage for 35 and 25 years respectively - is "difficult", she added.

There was a "huge community turnout" at the meeting where residents voiced their concerns.

Mr Whitehead said the business was "part of the village".

"Five houses can go anywhere. They don't have to go where the garage is - at the loss of nine jobs", he said.

He said he will be working with developer to encourage them not to appeal the decision.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.