WILTSHIRE Council has been accused of betraying the trust of the Marlborough community over its plan to sell recreation land at Rabley Wood View for housing.

The issue was debated during a packed town council meeting on Monday, where residents came to hear councillors confirm their plan to formally object to the sale.

When Rabley Wood View was first built, Wiltshire Council included an ‘in perpetuity’ agreement in the application for the play area, which secured its use as an amenity area.

Now, the council intends to sell that land so 39 houses can be built there and move the play area to a river meadow by Rabley Wood View, the Thorns and Roger Meadow.

The scheme has been rejected twice since 2015, with opposition from both Marlborough Town Council and Wiltshire Council itself. however an appeal earlier in the year won permission and Wiltshire Council has now announced its intention to sell the land.

Coun Peter Cairns said: “Wiltshire Council’s decision may be within the letter of the law but tearing up and sweeping aside an in perpetuity agreement is totally against the spirit of natural justice.

“As legal custodians of such an agreement,Wiltshire Council are betraying the community’s trust and that attitude bodes ill for other such agreements in the future. Suggesting a totally unsuitable water meadow for the amenity area represents Wiltshire council’s complete disregard for the historic area and threatens endangered habitats which require conservation. It will also increase the flood risk to other developments.”

Angela Fry, of Roger Meadow, said: “Wiltshire Council have put money above children. This was opposed by all local people but Wiltshire Council pushed it through regardless. There would only be one way in and out of the new housing area making it a safety risk and an ambulance could not get to the proposed new amenity area.”

Residents have until December 20 to formally object the sale plan. The council’s cabinet will decide whether to sell the land on January 30 2018.

Coun Stewart Dobson said: “I will be at the cabinet meeting and I hope many residents come too to make it quite clear that the people of Marlborough do not want to lose this amenity area.” which is important to be kept in perpetuity. I feel very strongly that Wiltshire Council should not sell this land.”