A scheme to build seven affordable homes in Hilmarton on land owned by Wiltshire Council has been submitted by the Guinness Trust after a community consultation.

The plans to build on land next to Poynder Place, near the telephone exchange, include several one, two and three-bedroom properties.

These would either be rented or purchased through a shared ownership scheme and would be built with a national grant provided by the Government’s housing and communities agency.

This is subject to an agreement giving those with a connection to the parish first choice in the allocation of housing, allowing a way for young people to buy homes in the area.

The application was welcomed by parish councillors at a meeting on November 5, who noted the addition of two extra properties following the community consultation at Easter.

Mel Wilkins, chairman of the parish council, said: “Affordable housing is definitely for local people, that’s why it’s affordable housing.”

The proposal received an enthusiastic response from villagers, although some remain concerned about how it will affect the area.

Ken Webb, of Poynder Place, said: “The proposed housing will adversely affect the local landscape character by removing visibility of hedges, trees and the rural landscape amenity. Recent building on the Hilmarton side of Calne has provided new affordable housing stock, which is nearer to places of employment.”

Chris Marsh, also of Poynder Place, said: “I hope you ensure these will be occupied by local people who originate from or work in Hilmarton, in order to keep a sense of community, as you say there is a local need for such accommodation.”

A housing needs survey was published by Wiltshire Council in April, which concluded there was a need for four affordable homes in Hilmarton during the next three years.

Victoria Smith, principal development officer for new housing at Wiltshire Council, said the mix of houses was revised to take the Government’s new so-called bedroom tax into account.

She said: “The proposals meet the housing needs of Hilmarton for rent and shared ownership homes, to enable first-time buyers to buy a home in Hilmarton.”