Plans for 200 new homes will put 'undue strain' on Westbury, objectors claim.

The proposal is for farmland off Storridge Road and would involve the demolition of house numbers 13 and 14 on the road to give access to the 200 homes.

Gladman Developments Ltd have been trying to build on the land since 2017 but have been refused by Wiltshire Council in the past.

Westbury Town Council have objected to the latest application, but its fate lies with Wiltshire Council.

Westbury’s deputy mayor Mike Sutton said: “We had an application for this years ago. We don’t agree with demolishing houses to give access to the land.

“This is the last bit of green separating the industrial estate from the town.

“The other objection is that it puts undue strain on Westbury itself.”

One of the comments on the application adds: “Just how many more houses can Westbury cope with - this is getting ridiculous as we simply don’t have the infrastructure to back them up.

“The roads are already having to cope with far too much traffic and people’s health is being affected by the ever-increasing amount of exhaust fumes.”

Another says: “The doctor's surgery is already struggling to cope with demand.

“In the Wiltshire Core Strategy (2015), Westbury is described as follows: Although the town is smaller than other nearby settlements, including Frome, it has a significant employment base of strategic value and enjoys excellent rail connectivity, with direct links to Bristol, London, Portsmouth and Exeter. The town has seen significant housing development in the past which has not been matched by an appropriate provision of services, facilities and new jobs.”

Another comment reiterates this: “Westbury is gaining more and more new houses without the investment in infrastructure to support this.”

However, Gladman Developments Ltd say the development will create jobs and boost the local economy.

A comment on the White Horse News Facebook page adds: “I’ve never understood the hatred towards new homes in westbury.

"YES we don’t have the infrastructure to support the new tenants but what’s new?

"The more houses equal more support to the town centre and local shops and services.

"We are lucky to have areas of green space but sadly these green spaces are not accessible to use anyway so rather than have a farmer own a field that doesn’t make them money why can’t they profit on selling the land to build houses.”