Plans for 180 homes in Devizes have been discussed at length, with planners quizzed on their intentions for the land.

Wiltshire-based developer Princeton Land, recently held an online consultation for the homes on Marshall Road.

Planning consultant Jonathan Porter also visited Devizes to speak to councillors on the proposals.

He has been working on the project for two and a half years, and is acting on behalf of Princeton Land.

He was quizzed on biodiversity plans, if the coming Devizes Gateway station had been taken into account and on traffic.

The impact on town roads had been a key concern for residents during the consultation process.

Councillor Judy Rose brought up the number of cars it would bring to already congested town centre streets.

“The average number of cars per house is two these days. That means, with 180 homes, that there could be anywhere between 350 and 360 cars coming out of that estate and into the Devizes network, and maybe straight into the Green, one of the busiest junctions there is.”

Councillor Kelvin Nash also brought up traffic, but added that the volume of cars would not impact on already present London Road issues.

The site, on the south side of Devizes, was said to have “improved transport links compared with any additional development along the London Road corridor.”

Plans for 57 homes at Parkfields have been critiqued for the above reason, but planners remained firm that the volume of cars would not be a major problem if planning permission is approved for the site.

Mr Porter said: “People being concerned about the additional traffic is pretty normal on planning applications. We are pretty comfortable and confident that it is not going to have any adverse strategic impacts on the network.”

In total, the team behind the potential Marshall Road plans distributed 1,600 neighbour notification letters.

Only 162 responses with feedback were received, with around 80 percent of respondents having concerns about the proposals.

“It will come as no surprise to members here that the vast majority of those were people objecting to new housing on the site,” Mr Porter said.

“Roughly 80 percent had concerns, such as legitimate concerns about traffic, and about 20 percent were in support of the proposals as well.”

Discussions around cycle routes and green space at the site are also underway. The proximity of the nearby Drews Pond Nature Reserve was a point raised by councillors.

If Princeton Land do get planning permission for the houses, there will be around two-and-a-half hectares as free open space.

The entire site measures at seven-and-a-half hectares and will be made up of 30 percent affordable housing. A planning application is being prepared for Wiltshire Council.