A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for a residential home in the centre of Calne has been rejected by Wiltshire Council.

The application for 32 high-quality apartments to be built in The Pippin was rejected by a majority of 5-4 in a meeting on Wednesday (May 4).

The homes, planned by McCarthy & Stone, had been heavily opposed by residents and members of Calne tourism group Our Place, who thought the homes would derail their master plan to regenerate Calne.

Chairman of Our Place, Naomi Beal, said: "I am ecstatic. We were all at the planning meeting and can now plan for the future of Calne properly.

"It was rejected but you never know until you get the final decision. I was hopeful but I did not want to take anything for granted."