DEVELOPMENT plans for hundreds of army homes have had to be redesigned after archaeological investigations uncovered masses of live explosives.

More than 440 homes in Larkhill were granted permission in July 2016 alongside land for a new primary school, a community facility and play areas.

But the layout of the development has had to change since it was discovered the 33-acre site was used for trench warfare training, leading to an extensive clearance programme of unexploded ordnance, including 100 live grenades.

Archaeologists also discovered a unique network of First World War tunnels under the site in April which have been now been excavated, examined and backfilled.

It means the MoD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation has had to revise the development layout and apply for planning permission again.

Plans for an engineered bank to the western boundary of the site have been scrapped in the new design and while most of the houses will be two-storey, there are now also plans for some bungalows.

The new application covers the first two phases of the development - a total of 196 homes and 470 car parking spaces - with the remaining phases to follow at a later stage. It includes 163 three-bedroom homes and 33 homes with four bedrooms or more.

The site which is north of The Packway and east of Larkhill has been used as agricultural land.

To see the full application search for 17/03959/FUL on the Wiltshire Council planning site.