PEAK time traffic could grind to a halt in Marlborough if plans for up to 220 homes and a hotel are built on land off Salisbury Road, protesters said this week.

Residents packed the annual general meeting of Savernake Parish Council on Thursday to voice their concerns about the proposal put forward by the Crown Estate.

Their main concern is peak time traffic on the A346 next to the proposed site, which already suffers rush hour delays with cars and lorries from Tesco and the Marlborough Business Park queuing to go down Salisbury Road.

Other worries were expressed about the strains it would put on amenities.

Parish councillor Andrew Smithson said: “I think people would feel relieved if there were fewer houses and we are concerned that the pressure on the main road and site roads has not been adequately considered.

“These plans are worrying everyone especially since the site has a number of difficulties such as the water table and traffic and pollution.”

In a letter of protest to Wiltshire Council, the parish council said this week: “We recognise that new home provision in the town is vital and would support a smaller scheme aimed at the affordable end of the market.

“This demographic are more likely to work in the area and are therefore more likely to use sustainable transport and local amenities which would impact services, transport and the environment less.”

The plans sent to Wiltshire Council for approval are for up to 220 homes and a hotel, with the scheme also providing affordable housing, a school drop off for St John’s Academy and new walking and cycle routes.

Resident Joan Davies, who lives near Savernake Hospital, said: “It is an absolute nightmare trying to get into Marlborough on the Salisbury Road in peak times.

“You’re lucky if it takes less than half hour, especially on a Friday afternoon, and it will just get worse if all these houses are built. As the business park has taken off more in recent years it has made the roundabout even more busy.”

She added: “I would much prefer it if the number of homes was reduced to 100 and then different sites can be looked at for other housing.

“I am also really concerned about the water table in this area. Crown Estate’s seem to think they can combat this by laying down concrete, but this will just push up the prices when what we really need is affordable housing.”

These plans come after a 64-bed care home with 28 assisted living units on the opposite side of Salisbury Road were approved last October.

An exhibition held in the town hall back in November on the proposals was attended by almost 300 people and more than 60 people submitted letters to Wiltshire Council during the consultation period.

Marlborough Town Council has said it has no objections and have welcomed the inclusion of a hotel on the proposal.

A decision on the plans is expected at the end of June.