A BID to build 26 new homes in Westbury has been opposed by town councillors who say it will damage the landscape.
Persimmon Homes has submitted the application for the scheme on greenfield land west of Dartmoor Road, to the rear of Westbury Leigh Primary School’s playing field.
At the town council’s highways, planning and development meeting, held on 21st September, members considered that this was the developers’ third application for the site following previously unsuccessful bids.
Persimmon described the plot as currently not being under “any formal use” and comprising predominantly of dense scrub, tree and hedgerow cover.
The plans also include new vehicular access, public open space, landscaping, sustainable urban drainage and other associated infrastructure works.
Cllr Shelia Kimmins said the site was outside the settlement boundary
“It’s an old site that was put aside as wildlife land many years ago,” she said. “There’s a footpath that runs to the right of the plan that’s not mentioned at all in the plan.”
She added that the plot was also subject to flooding in the winter.
“There are a number of access problems,” cllr Kimmins continued. “Twenty-six houses, we are looking at a minimum of 52 vehicle movements a day – 104 if each house has two vehicles – going in and out of what is a very busy area near the school.
“To the left of the site there’s a piece of land that is to stay as a green open space for 25 years, that is currently upkept by Wiltshire Council. There’s a plan to put a path with a gate, so people can get to the school.
“Residents are very concerned about traffic and although it may look like a bit of old scrubland it’s a wildlife sanctuary.”
The meeting heard there was a mix of proposed properties for the site and Wiltshire Council had stipulated that 30% be affordable.
Cllr Gordon King moved to object, on the grounds the land lies outside the permitted development area in Westbury and was contrary to policy.
There was insufficient information about tree removal and the effect on air quality, Cllr King said, and the plan did not respect the setting.
“It’s a serious contamination of the land,” he said and added it would exacerbate road safety issues.
His objection was seconded by cllr Ian Cunningham, who added, “Last time they had this application there were 25 comments from different departments at Wiltshire Council, but now there are only two. We previously objected to it and said it would close up the gap to Dilton Marsh.”
Cllr Mike Sutton said more information was needed about the development’s green policies and how it would affect climate change, being that Wiltshire Council had declared a climate emergency.
All members voted to oppose the application apart from cllr Nick Pyne, who abstained from voting.
Persimmon say the proposal will contribute towards the need for new homes in the area and the scheme had been sensitively designed with respect to its surroundings.
The public consultation closes on Friday 2nd October. A decision by Wiltshire Council is expected by Tuesday 6th October. To view the plans and comment, visit www. wiltshire.gov.uk/ planning-applications-search and search with the reference 20/06808/FUL.
Pictured: How the homes could look.
