RESIDENTS voiced concerns over the possibility of around 100 houses being built on land owned by Marlborough College during a town council meeting last night.

The proposal is for a mixed use development including a new site for Preshute Primary School, houses, including affordable homes, and amenity land.

Marlborough Town Council Planning Committee has been informed about a proposal for the development on land to the north of Barton Park and College Fields through a joint statement from Preshute Primary School and the College.

Speaking at the meeting, Loren Best, of Hawkins Meadow, said: “There are lots of rumours going around at the moment.

“I live opposite the green area and I would like a clarification as to what land has been put forward for the housing and school and where the access would be.

“We’re concerned because College Fields at the moment is really chock-a-block, Marlborough is completely congested and I don’t want to lose that green.”

At least by 303 houses have to be built in Marlborough by 2026. There is an application with Wiltshire Council to build 220 houses on Crown Estate off the Salisbury Road but it has not yet been given approval.

Ian Mellor, of Farrar Drive, said: “There seems to be a presumptuous attitude on behalf of the college that a new primary school is enough to buy 100 houses.”

Trudi Granger, of College Fields, added: “What are we supposed to think when we see tripods being set up on College Fields road and looking up at the green field area.

“We can’t just turn a blind eye.”

Following recent consultations with town councils, parish councils and the development industry the spatial planning department at Wiltshire Council has looked at potential housing sites in Marlborough.

Representation was received by Wiltshire Council from Marlborough College to include land north of Barton Park as a potential site.

Wiltshire and Town Councillor Stewart Dobson explained that the proposed land ran from behind Manton Hollow up to the back of College Fields and, if that site was to go ahead, access would probably be though the green space through Barton Park and College Fields.

He said: “Spatial planning has not made any decisions regarding where further housing will go in Marlborough and this particular site is just one of the options under consideration.

“The spatial planning department will gather evidence, they’ll consider all the options and then develop a draft plan that will be made widely available for public consultation later this year.”