Estate is in the pipeline (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Estate is in the pipeline

A PLAN to build 190 homes in Warminster has been approved but will need ministerial clearance before going ahead.

West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee approved an outline application for the development north of Victoria Road on Thursday night.

Before building work can begin, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will scrutinise the plans from Persimmon Homes because the development will be on greenfield land.

Warminster Town Council and Warminster Civic Society object to the development, with concerns over increased traffic and the drain on local services.

Chairman of the Trust's planning committee Richard Hayes said: "This plan is more about the developers' personal interests than the needs of the people.

"Warminster was originally built for the horse and cart and if Persimmon get their way the growing traffic dilemma in the town will be exacerbated."

Warminster town councillor John Syme said he was concerned about the safety of residents if a secondary access to the estate was built off Virginia Drive.

He said: "Because of traffic problems on nearby West Street, motorists will start to use the estate roads as a short cut. This will add extra hazards to the residents of Virginia Drive and will increase the danger to children who have to cross Grovelands Way to reach the only playground in the area."

After listening to objections, councillors voted to remove the option of secondary access for all vehicles.

Despite the objections, district planning officer Peter Westbury said Persimmon's plans met with local planning policy guidelines. Persimmon have promised to a new building for Noah's Ark pre-school, a recycling centre and £15,000-a-year towards school transport costs for five years at part of the scheme.

The office of the Secretary of State for the Environment, part of Mr Prescott's responsibilities, will review the application and could either confirm planning permission or call in the plans for a public inquiry.