A CAMPAIGN group is urging people to resist proposals to build around 2,600 homes north of Trowbridge. 

Wiltshire Council undertook a consultation in last year's Wiltshire Local Plan Review, and the possibility of 2,600 houses at Hilperton and Staverton were indicated in the informal consultation version and referred to as “North Trowbridge” (4) and “North-East Trowbridge” (5).

The Hilperton Area Advisory Group (HAAG)  say that of the 375 replies received, 92 per cent were opposed to the development, five per cent raised some concerns and just three per cent supported it.

The group says that the council will consider the proposals this autumn "having determined that the housing deficit in the county will be met by Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Salisbury", meaning "more and more areas of natural beauty will be at risk of development".

HAAG defines its purpose as: "To gather as much information as possible to ensure that when the consultation takes place, every aspect of the proposed development - from the threat to the local Bechstein bat population to climate change and flooding – is properly and thoroughly considered.

"If the proposal is adopted, this will result in a hugely disproportionate amount of housing being built in this area.

"Wiltshire is at risk of losing its unique beauty and character and becoming just another over-developed area of Britain."

A report detailing the responses was presented to Cabinet in June 2021 and a commitment was made to test and review the overall level and distribution of housing growth across Wiltshire including for Trowbridge as part of the plan preparation.

This work is ongoing alongside the preparation of the draft plan as a whole.

Councillor Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Development Management and Strategic Planning said: “If there are any allocations within the draft plan once it is complete, they will need to be based on sound evidence.

"We are aiming to publish the draft plan towards the end of this year following Cabinet and Council approval.

"It is at this point that there will be the opportunity through a full public consultation to comment further on the proposals it contains and the evidence that sits behind it."

HAAG added: "The HAAG website will shortly be publishing a website to provide information about the progress of the consultation. The support of local people is vital to help influence the decision-makers in Wiltshire Council to seriously address and reconsider the proposal and preserve our beautiful and treasured county. "