An application for outline planning permission for a huge development set to change the face of Chippenham has been submitted to Wiltshire Council last week.

Plans for the 48.2ha development, to the south of Birds Marsh and on land adjacent to Hill Corner Road, aim to bring 750 properties, up to 12,710 sqm of employment land, a community centre, a new primary school, woodland management facilities, a new link road and public open space to the town.

The land is owned by the North Chippenham Consortium, made up of Barratt Developments, Persimmon Homes and Heron Land, which wants to build family homes, affordable housing and play areas.

But the Chippenham Community Voice, made up of local residents, say they are concerned about the scale of the proposals.

Chairman Pete Humphrey said: “Last time the people of the area were consulted about previous development proposals, over 2,500 petition signatures were gathered in less than two weeks against those proposals.

“The application for outline planning permission is a very provocative declaration.”

He said the application was stirring up a great deal of consternation in the town.

“The developers appear to be trying to brow beat the residents of Chippenham into believing the loss of these fields is a forgone conclusion,” said Mr Humphrey.

“This is tantamount to nothing more than bully boy tactics.”

The plans for the land include a green buffer separating the development from Birds Marsh Wood, and a management strategy for Birds Marsh Wood, in association with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

A spokesperson for the North Chippenham Consortium, said the site has been included as a preferred option in Wiltshire’s draft Core Strategy document to deliver new housing and employment land, in order to meet Chippenham’s targets for strategic growth.

The scheme will be served by a new main road link running along the northern edge of the development.

The spokesman said: “Residents living close to the site were invited to a public exhibition of the proposals, held on November 28 and 29at St Nicholas School, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham. As a direct result of the feedback received at the exhibition, a number of small amendments were made to the plans. These include changes to the highway/access arrangements so that there is no general access from the main part of the scheme out onto Hill Corner Road.

“The parameters of the employment area have also been amended to account for its relationship with neighbouring dwellings.

John McLean of Barratt Developments, one of the North Chippenham Consortium partners, said: “We are very grateful to the Chippenham community for engaging with us during the consultation process. This planning application is designed to reflect the feedback we have received from local stakeholders and is the next step towards delivering a sustainable development including community facilities that not only serves new residents, but makes a positive contribution to Chippenham as a whole.”