Warminster’s revised draft Neighbourhood Plan will not include any proposed housing site allocations following public feedback from a recent consultation.
The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group has updated the draft after reviewing hundreds of responses received earlier this year. The revised plan will be considered by town councillors later this month.
The steering group is recommending the removal of housing site allocations after public feedback.
“Results from the community demonstrated that around 40 per cent of those who responded were in favour of the allocation, with 60 per cent against,” said a spokesperson for Warminster Town Council.
“The land east of The Dene (also known as Home Farm on Boreham Road) was the key focus for many community respondents. Looking at this feedback, it is clear to the steering group that there is not sufficient public support to keep the site allocations policy, and the plan needs to be updated to reflect that.
“We know there are implications for the town as a result of this outcome, which were made clear in the consultation. Removing site allocation means Warminster will not be actively directing where its required housing should go, and what it should, and should not, contain.
“It’s important to note that removing site allocation from our plan does not mean no houses will be built. With Wiltshire Council currently revising its Local Plan and likely increasing housing targets county-wide, developers remain entirely free to submit speculative planning applications for any available site.”
The revised draft also retains and strengthens key planning policies, including protecting community green spaces, supporting local businesses and the high street, and introducing local design codes to ensure future development respects Warminster’s character.
If approved by the town council, the revised Neighbourhood Plan will be submitted for further public consultation before undergoing independent examination by a planning inspector.
The final decision on whether the plan is adopted will be made by residents in a local referendum.
Pictured: Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Chair Cllr Philip Keeble, Town Development Officer Rhianna Cowdy and Cllr Andrew Cooper
