Up to 220 homes could be built on the southern side of Marlborough by the Crown Estate and could even include a new hotel for the town.

The Crown Estate says the area, off Salisbury Road opposite Tesco and the Business Park, is identified in Wiltshire Council’s Draft Local Plan for 220 new homes.

It will be consulting on its proposals later next month at a two-day exhibition with plans to include include affordable housing and what is said to be 'the possibility of a new hotel for the town'.

Steve Melligan, strategic land manager of The Crown Estate, said: “Over a number of years we have been exploring the potential for development on this site which would help the area to meet its future housing requirements.

"Previous discussions with Marlborough Town Council, Savernake Parish Council, Wiltshire Council and other local organisations have helped to inform our thoughts and I look forward to hearing more views from local representatives and residents as we progress our consultation programme.

"With Wiltshire Council’s Draft Core Strategy confirming the suitability of the Salisbury Road site as a location for new housing, we think it’s now timely to begin consulting more widely in advance of submitting a planning application."

As part of the consultation process The Crown Estate has provided Marlborough Town Council and Savernake Parish Council with an outline of the ideas which will be presented in more detail at the public exhibition in October.

Mr Melligan said: "The meeting was a good opportunity to discuss our emerging plans with local representatives and explain our approach to public consultation, which will include a public exhibition in October to ensure that anyone with an interest in the proposals has the chance to tell us what they think."