PLANS for more than 160 new homes in Dilton Marsh could increase its population by 25-30 per cent and will put more pressure on village facilities, it has been claimed.
Rosconn Strategic Land Ltd wants to develop around 100 new homes on land south of Clivey, Dilton Marsh, while Dilton Marsh Land Value Alliances LLP wants to build 65 new homes on land to the north of High Street in the centre of the village.
Villagers have already raised £890 towards a £2,000 target on an online appeal to engage a planning consultant to fight the schemes.
Rosconn has applied to Wiltshire Council for an environmental impact assessment to screen the homes it wants to build on a 6.83-hectare site at Clivey, where wild deer currently feed.
But Dilton Marsh resident Natasha Wildman said: “Having decided against a face-to-face consultation to engage with local residents, the developer, via a third party, issued a limited number of leaflets at the beginning of December inviting comment via their website.
“However, many residents whose homes back directly onto the site, known affectionately as the deer field, only heard about this via the village Facebook page.
“It would seem the landowner and developer are going to some lengths to avoid local opinion, ticking a box where required, but showing no real commitment to public consultation despite the blurb on their websites claiming to value the opinions and support of local residents.”
She says that, together with plans for 65 new homes at High Street, Dilton Marsh, the two new developments could potentially increase the village population by 25-30 per cent, and increase traffic by more than 160 vehicles.
“There is no thought given to how this development will affect the lives of current residents or impact on the local school or health centre.
“No amount of money offered by a developer can alleviate the parking issue at the village school when there is no land available to create a parking area.
“The health centre is already under huge pressure and the B3909 is proving to be an accident blackspot.
“Dilton Marsh is a village. There has been development over the years, and not all of it welcomed or well-planned, but enough is enough.
“We are clinging on to village life and will fight any further attempts to fundamentally change where we live.”
Rosconn Strategic Land Ltd and the landowner have been approached for comment.
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