CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 62 houses on former farmland near Westbury Leigh have been given the go-ahead, despite objections from local residents and councillors.
Wimpey Homes can develop the land north of Penleigh Road, providing it builds at least six affordable houses and contributes £62,000 towards secondary school education.
After initial planning problems, the developer has met access requirements and can now replace the public open space with a development of two, three and four bedroom homes.
But a Chapmanslade resident and several councillors at West Wiltshire District Council's southern area committee meeting last Thursday were concerned about the impact of the ever-increasing number of houses being built in Westbury.
Francis Morland of Chapmanslade said: "This is by far the worst example of large scale development in the district. Much worse, for example, than the Paxcroft Mead development in Hilperton and is possibly the worst in the county.
"Part of the shortcomings has been the failure to identify and safeguard the public open space."
Cllr Alison Irving said: "Housing numbers are forever creeping up and this will inevitably cause more traffic problems in surrounding areas."
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