Local residents have until the 23rd June to voice their opinions about proposals for a new housing development in Westbury following a public consultation which took place on Friday (13th June).
The plan is to build 300 homes to extend the town north of Bitham Park on an 11-hectare site (27.5 acres) east of the A350.
Planning consultants AMEC collected feedback and answered questions from local residents at the consultation and will submit an outline application to Wiltshire Council in July.
Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire, has concerns about the proposed development. He said, “From the details I have seen, this looks like building on completely open fields on the edge of town beyond a natural boundary and is likely to constitute urban sprawl that will not be conducive to Westbury’s townscape. As such, it is very unlikely to have my support.
“I should say that I am supportive of affordable housing on infill and previously used sites. I anticipate similar objections from others in and around the town.”
Dr Emily Parry, who moved nearby to the development site in October, did not know there were plans to build there when she moved in. She said, “It is not just this housing development that will affect the environment because as soon as more people move into the area it will be necessary to build a new school, doctors’ surgery, Co-op etc. which will probably be built on greenfield land.
“I think the design could be better and more environmentally friendly. The layout isolates the gardens from nature and if there were less road surface it would be better.”
Bev Coupe from AMEC said, “We have had lots of questions here at the consultation. People have concerns about how traffic and the design will affect them, but the design isn’t final.”
