Residents and councillors have objected to controversial new plans for dozens of additional homes beside a huge development in Wiltshire.
The site is next to the extensive Rowden Park Garden Village site, where construction is ongoing after outline approval for up to 1,000 dwellings was granted in 2017.
While the site has been designated for housing, Chippenham town councillors voted to voice objections to the proposed scheme at a planning committee meeting, ahead of Wiltshire Council’s decision.
Councillors raised concerns over the design of the development and its impact on local green space.
Cllr David Poole said: “This is a pity really when you’ve got the development of Rowden Park, you’ve got phases one, two and three to one side, and you've got I think four and five to the other side.
“This was like a green lung in the middle, it’s designated for development so there’s very little we can do in the long term to resist this development.”
Cllr Poole and others emphasised that greater efforts should be made to improve cycle networks in the area, to prevent Patterdown Road from becoming “swamped” with cars.
He added: “When you look at 41 properties being built that could give us another 80 to 100 cars on that site.
“Patterdown Road is obviously going to be swamped with cars over the next few years when we get all this new development.
“We should recommend to turn this one down and for the developer to come back with a much better proposition.”
Two members of the public also objected to the plans during the meeting, voicing fears over the impact on wildlife.
Julie Wheeler said: “There will undoubtedly be destruction of some habitat and shocking disturbance to the natural environment and wildlife during construction.”
Redcliffe Homes insists new tree planting will “bolster” biodiversity on the site while green corridors around the edge of the land will be included.
The developers also plan to retain habitats of “ecological importance” and create new areas of grassland.
Access to the site will be delivered via the phase three Rowden Park development, linking onto Patterdown Road.
In their design and access statement, Redcliffe Homes said: “The site offers an opportunity to deliver a sensitive development with integrated open space and features to support healthy and sustainable lifestyles.”
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