MORE than 500 people have signed a petition protesting over plans to build 28 new homes close to a nature reserve in Warminster.

Sustainable Warminster is calling on locals to help stop the houses being built on land off Damask Way.

Sustainable Warminster and Warminster Town Council have both objected to the plans by developers Backhouse Ltd to build 28 new homes on land east of Damask Way, east of Upper Marsh Road and north of Smallbrook Lane.

Sarah Walters, of Sustainable Warminster, said: "Warminster is soon to lose another important area of green space if Wiltshire Council give the go-ahead to the building of 28 houses at the proposed Damask Way site.

"This site is an important habitat for migration, hibernation, commuting and foraging for many protected and rare species.

"These include bats, otters, water voles, insects and a large but threatened population of common toads, along with many other species of flora and fauna. "The whole area forms an important connection between various different habitats such as ponds, woodland, rivers, marsh, and grassland allowing wildlife to move freely and safely between them."

Warminster town councillors unanimously proposed refusal of the scheme, saying they continue to have concerns regarding the detail and the accuracy of submitted documents, particularly the ecological matters.

They said: "Warminster Town

Council would like the planning officer to confirm that a full and proper assessment has been made and that the developer has conducted all the assessments in sufficient detail."

Wiltshire Council will decide on February 17 whether the homes can be built.

To sign the petition, go to www.change.org/p/wiltshire-council-save-warminster-s-biodiversity-for-future-generations-to-enjoy