'Strong' opposition to a planning application for 205 houses in Warminster have been reiterated.

Town councillors oppose the planning application for land west of Westbury Road.

Barratt Homes Bristol submitted a planning application to build the new homes on land at New Farm.

The application includes a community hub, public open space, access, infrastructure and associated works, with all other matters reserved.

Up to 30 per cent of the houses would be affordable new homes.

Residents have previously raised concerns over sewage management, public safety, and the character of the Wiltshire market town potentially being distorted.

Barratt Homes Bristol said: “The development would provide much-needed new market and affordable housing in the area, together with all necessary infrastructure and a large area of landscaped, public open space including sports and play facilities.

“We are proposing that vehicles would access the new development from two new accesses coming off Westbury Road.

“A new network of foot and cycle paths would be provided to allow pedestrian and cycle access throughout the site and out towards Warminster town centre and railway station through a dedicated cycle path along Westbury Road.”

The appeal site comprises 25.8 acres of agricultural land situated immediately adjacent to the northern limits of Warminster.

The town has been identified in Wiltshire's Core Strategy as suitable for significant housing growth.

The site is bounded on its western side by the railway, beyond which lies the Crusader Park commercial estate, and to the east by the main Westbury Road.

Land further west rises fairly steeply through a wooded hillside, separating this part of Warminster from the town's military garrison

Barratt Homes lodged an appeal in 2023 against Wiltshire Council’s non-determination of its application and the council finally issued a decision in February this year.

Wiltshire Council originally granted the housing developer outline planning consent last November 2023. The council then reversed its decision in March following revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2023.

Following the decision by Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee to reject Barratt Homes application on Westbury Road, Barratt Homes Bristol has appealed it to the Planning Inspectorate.

The company’s consultant, Peter Amies of Phoenix Design Partnership Ltd. says there are no reasons to refuse the plans based on concerns about flood risks and drainage from the site which lies in a flood zone.

He added: “Development has been sited away from areas at highest risk, and it has been demonstrated that the proposals will not increase flood risk elsewhere. No inappropriate development within areas at risk of flooding has been proposed.

“The information submitted by the appellant demonstrates that the proposed development will be safe from flooding and will not increase flood risk elsewhere using an appropriately designed and maintained Sustainable Drainage System.”

He says that foul drainage on the site will be treated in a bespoke Water Recycling Centre. The package foul treatment works will treat sewage effluent to a level controlled via an Environment Agency license which is agreed outside of the planning process.

Initially, the appeal was to be heard by written submissions. However, the Inspector has decided to hold a public inquiry instead. This is scheduled to start on Tuesday, October 1 and run for four days.

Town councillors at Warminster’s planning advisory committee on Monday, September 16 continued to make their opposition clear.

They resolved to send Cllr Bill Parks to attend the first day of the inquiry. Attendees on subsequent days will be decided, based on the information provided by Cllr Parks.

A decision on the planning application will be made by a Government approved planning inspector.