Hundreds sign petition to halt 180 new homes plan

The 180 homes would be mostly built in the north of the site, with the medical centre closer to existing housing

Hundreds of signatures have been collected on a petition against plans to build 180 new homes and a medical centre in a Wiltshire town.

Property developers CG Fry & Son announced its intention to develop the site on Wenhill Lane, in Calne, ahead of a public consultation which took place earlier this month.

The petition, launched on change.org by local resident Deidre Airey, argued the area's natural habitat was "now at risk" and the project would "drastically alter the town's character".

CG Fry & Son said: "This proposal will contribute towards Wiltshire Council's annual housing requirement, and will provide high quality open market and affordable homes."

The plans also include a connecting route with the existing Calne-Chippenham cycle path and the installation of bollards to convert parts of Wenhill Lane to pedestrian and cycle use only.

In its outline document, CG Fry & Son described the development as comprising "up to 180 residential dwellings of which 30% are proposed as affordable housing for local people".

It said the delivery of the proposed medical centre depended on the NHS confirming funding in the form of a rental guarantee, but there may be scope for developer contributions to help with the costs.

The proposed site covers more than 16 hectares and lies to the south west of Calne town centre

The proposals detail development on four fields to the south west of the town centre although one of the fields is intended to remain largely undeveloped to "preserve the setting" of the Grade II*-listed country house Verne Leaze.

In response to the proposals Ms Airey launched the petition, which has gathered more than 600 signatures, arguing it would negatively impact the local environment.

"We are very concerned the wildlife that goes through these fields and down to the river is going to be affected," she said.

She urged local residents to get involved with the full outline planning application due to be submitted soon.

"It [the development] may change the whole town," she said.

CG Fry & Son added the development "will provide attractive useable spaces, while contributing to the development achieving biodiversity net gain, as well as protecting the setting of nearby heritage assets."

The team added "a number of site-specific issues were raised at the consultation event, which will be considered by CG Fry and its team following the closure of the initial consultation period on 26 March."