Warminster mounts opposition to Barratt housing plans

At a November 23 meeting, members of the Planning Advisory Committee unanimously spoke against the bid alongside 13 members of the public, five of whom spoke of the "impact they feared it would have".

At the meeting, concerns raised by the councillors and public included; the proposed development is contrary to the national and local planning policy and that it would create a dangerous precedent and make it harder to stop similar proposals.

The town council said the plans also ignore the neighbourhood plan, is not in-keeping with the area and would negatively impact the biodiversity of the area.

Warminster Town Council added: "The proposed development will have a negative impact on the amenity of other residents by increasing the risk of flooding elsewhere in the town.

"The proposed development falls within flood zone two and three, which should not normally be used for housing.

"The development will cause traffic problems. There would be increased cross town traffic due to the need to access to services that sit on the opposite side of town, bringing gridlock to the already congested town centre.

"The proposed development will adversely affect the view of and from the hills which are a key cultural and heritage feature of Warminster.

"The type of housing proposed will not satisfy local housing needs. The "affordable housing" proposed is beyond the reach of those in housing need."

It is proposed by the developer that 62 houses (30 per cent) will be affordable housing. In the planning statement, it said that since 2010 the housing cost in Westbury has risen by 36 per cent, noting that inflation has still kept ahead of affordability for people looking to purchase.

Warminster mounts opposition to Barratt housing plans | Wiltshire Times