THE west of Warminster could become a ‘dumping ground’ for houses and developments if the Neighbourhood Plan is not changed, according to residents living there.

The proposed West Urban Extension would see 900 homes built but locals are concerned there could be scope for even more in the area. Some also feel that the east of the town is getting away with not being built on.

According to the plan ‘evidence presented during examination of the Wiltshire Core Strategy suggests that the West Urban Extension may deliver more than 900 dwellings’.

Wiltshire Council’s Core Strategy states that 1,920 homes need to be built by 2026 in Warminster, of which only 504 have been built so far.

Jeremy Stadward, a resident of Haygrove Close, is against the building of more than 900 homes and said: “There are two main issues that I have with the plan, the first being that this Neighbourhood Plan should be for the people, by the people to give us some say.

“But what has happened is the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group (NPWG) is frightened of Wiltshire Council and won’t question anything county want.

“The second issue is, because of some things that have happened in the past, there is no development in the east it’s all been placed in the west.

“I do feel like it has become a dumping ground and it’s just terribly sad.”

Working group chairman Tony Nicklin disagrees and feels that the east has not got away with being developed and that they will take note of any comments made in the consultation which runs until May 8.

He said: “Housing is a big issue and the Core Strategy will see a 25 per cent increase in houses in Warminster which is a big increase for any town.

“I think people are creating the east v west divide and I would say that I don’t think that the east has got off lightly.

“The east of the town had the same consideration that the west did and I would think in the future there would be no further development for the west and that the east will be developed but who knows what the future will hold.”

Warminster resident Sandra George believes that the east v west mentality in the town is proving detrimental to Warminster and its future.

Mrs George, who lives on St Andrews Road, said: “If they try and put anymore houses in the west they are going to run out of space and the plan should be about the town itself.

“If 900 homes are being built in the west though they should take the same in the east.”