SOUTH West Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison has weighed in on the debate over houses being built on the White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge citing that if approved, much needed employment will be removed from the area.

In a letter to Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark, Dr Murrison, who rents his constituency office from the business park, believes employment solutions should be found for current residents before more problems arise.

He added: “The large office block The Pavilions is at the heart of the White Horse Business Park.

“The prospect of it now being turned into low cost housing is unattractive since it will remove much needed employment from the area, reduce the attractiveness of the business park and cause an exodus of business undertakings with other freeholders filing prior approval notices."

An application was submitted three weeks ago to convert the old Virgin building into 98 apartments, with 45 one-bed and 53 two-bed flats and last week, private sector partnership Transforming Trowbridge urged Wiltshire Council to oppose the move which they believe could be a disaster for the town.

When the government passed legislation to make it not necessary for planning applications to be submitted when converting empty business units into residential accommodation, Wiltshire Council applied for business parks, such as White Horse, to be exempt but were declined – meaning they could have to compensate a developer if they then refuse them planning permission.

Known as permitted development rights, the change means many councils remain helpless in declining the application unless they pass an Article 4 Direction which prevents the conversion.

Dr Murrison asked Mr Clark if supplementary guidance could be written so that local authorities aren't placed in limbo in declining such applications.

North Bradley parish council met on Monday and strongly opposed the development and said White Horse is considered to be "the jewel in the crown of the largest business park in west Wiltshire".

Horace Prickett, Wiltshire Councillor for North Bradley added: “Our potential employment opportunities are being destroyed for the sake of flats which will be at the bottom of the market.

“The offices were built in an economical way for their purpose and so if they were converted into apartments then their quality is going to be very poor.”

Residents and fellow business owners have until April 12 to comment on the plans which can be found on the Wiltshire Council website using the reference 16/02602/PNCOU.