Housing and infrastructure top concerns in Warminster survey

Warminster residents have raised concerns that housing development is outpacing local infrastructure, with pressure on roads, schools and healthcare among the main themes of a survey.

The survey, carried out by Warminster MP Andrew Murrison, received 517 responses covering housing, local services, public transport, safety, the town centre and other local and national issues.

Respondents broadly accepted the need for new homes but repeatedly raised concerns that development has not been matched by improvements to supporting infrastructure.

GP surgeries, schools, pharmacies, dentists, roads and drainage were among the services and infrastructure mentioned in responses. The proposed Home Farm development off Boreham Road also attracted sustained opposition in the comments, with concerns including the loss of countryside, flooding and pressure on local services.

Access to GP and health services was the most frequently selected local service in need of improvement, with 75% of respondents choosing it. Road maintenance was selected by 50%, while 47% highlighted environmental protection and green spaces.

Concerns were also raised about Warminster town centre, with respondents highlighting empty shops, neglected buildings and what they described as an over-concentration of barbers, nail bars and charity shops.

However, new independent shops, markets and other recent improvements were also welcomed by some respondents.

Public transport received a mixed response. Almost half of respondents, 48%, were neutral about current services, while 23% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied and 29% were satisfied or very satisfied.

Safety after dark was another issue raised, with 9% of all respondents saying they never feel safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark. Among written respondents, the figure was 15%, compared with 6% of online respondents.

Andrew Murrison said, “The results have been collated and give a flavour of the issues of concern locally. The surveys are a great way to inform the work I do in representing the pressing issues we have locally to both ministers and decision makers elsewhere.”

The survey was carried out between January and July, with 346 responses submitted online and 171 in writing.

The report notes that responses were weighted towards older residents, with 62% of respondents aged 65 or over.

The full survey results are available on Andrew Murrison’s website.