RESIDENTS living around College Fields are outraged that the amount of houses Marlborough College wants to build on its land has more than doubled.

It was previously thought that the college wished to build around 100 houses and offer land to Preshute School but at a Marlborough Town Council meeting last night it was revealed that up 220 new homes could be split across two sites.

Through their agents Edgars Limited, the college has put forward two pieces of land for new housing developments, 3.4 hectares of  land off Barton Dene for up to 70 houses and 7.6 hectares of land off College Fields for up to 150 houses.

At a previous planning meeting planning chairman Mervin Hall welcomed news that land had been identified for a new school building.

Last night he was asked by resident Peter May whether he would like to retract this support now that it has been revealed that the college wants to build more than 200 houses rather than 100 as previously announced.

Coun Hall said: “I didn’t express any support for any houses. I welcomed the news that there will be a new school because we desperately need a new school and we have needed one for some time.

“This council has not received any planning applications as of yet.”

At least 303 houses have to be built in Marlborough by 2026 and 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.

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 their land as potential sites.

Wiltshire and Town Councillor Stewart Dobson said: “We’re certainly aware that spatial planning has received request from Marlborough College and they will meet within the next few weeks and they will consider the request.

“They will then go out to public consultation, and the town council will certainly be involved in that, and then and only then if the developer then thinks they have been given encouragement, an outline application will be drawn up.”

A protest group is being formed against these plans but their first meeting, which was scheduled for May 15, has been postponed so more evidence can be gathered.