Wiltshire council will decide on two major planning applications at this week’s strategic planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

The first is the proposal for up to 205 new homes on land west of Westbury Road in Warminster.

The dwellings would be accompanied by a community hub and public open space.

According to the application, “the mixture of homes (terrace, flats, semi-detached and detached houses) and tenures will facilitate the development of a mixed community and will provide new homes for a broad spectrum of people in different age groups and on a range of incomes.”

It was originally submitted in 2021 and it received mixed feedback.

CPRE West Wiltshire said: “Westbury town is already crying out for a bypass and this additional level of housing will only add to existing traffic problems.

“Significant consideration also needs to be given to flood risk, both river and surface water.

“In terms of impacts to biodiversity and habitat, these need to be better and fully assessed.

“CPRE are not convinced based on existing documentation that this process has been adequately conducted.”

South West Farmer: The application says that the site’s proximity to a range of local facilities, public transport routes and the village centre, contribute to improving the long-term sustainability of the proposal.The application says that the site’s proximity to a range of local facilities, public transport routes and the village centre, contribute to improving the long-term sustainability of the proposal. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Residents expressed concerns that the number of new homes would be “out of sympathy with the local character and history of the northern suburb of the town.”

In August of this year, Andrew Lee commented: “We strongly object to what is now a wholly inadequate application, presented piecemeal over 3 years.”

Last week, Natural England concluded that the proposal would not result in adverse effects on the integrity of any of the sites in question, providing that all mitigation measures are appropriately secured.

The second application being presented to the council concerns land at Glenmore Farm in Westbury.

South West Farmer: The application says that confirmed ecological constraints at the site include hedgerow and tree habitats, bats, nesting birds and great crested newts.The application says that confirmed ecological constraints at the site include hedgerow and tree habitats, bats, nesting birds and great crested newts. (Image: Wiltshire Council)
It accounts for up to 145 homes, a community orchard, children's play areas, tree planting, habitat creation and ecology buffers.

A primary access road from the Ham would lead into the site via “an entrance village green that frames views to the White Horse."

South West Farmer: The application says that the proposed landscape will form a buffer creating different habitats and opportunities for informal and formal play and recreation.The application says that the proposed landscape will form a buffer creating different habitats and opportunities for informal and formal play and recreation. (Image: Wiltshire Council)The proposal states: “The development will provide much-needed market and affordable homes with a sense of place that demonstrate best practice in terms of biodiversity with an abundance of open space and excellent connections into town and out into the wider countryside.”

A resident who lives opposite the site commented: “This will destroy the rural area and create congestion, air pollution and devalue property.”

The meeting that will determine the future of the applications will take place in Trowbridge County Hall, at 10.30am, Wednesday, November 1.