Councillors have given the thumbs-up to the Core Strategy, a plan that sets out all future development in Wiltshire until 2026.

In a major boost to Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott, councillors threw their support behind the extensive document, which her administration has been working on since early 2009.

The strategy governs where developers can and cannot build houses, factories and businesses.

Cllr Scott said: “This is an exceptionally important document for our county. It is what protects us from inappropriate development. It is important to me that we have got jobs for our county and houses for people to live in.

“As a document this is probably one of the simplest of any across the country to read. We have made it accessible and relevant to residents and the community they live in.”

Councillors met in Devizes on Tuesday to thrash out the final details of the strategy.

It is now being sent to government officials who will pore over the details, hopefully confirming them in the autumn.

After that the strategy can be officially adopted by the council.

Westbury councillor Russell Hawker called for the plan to spell out the council’s support for a Westbury bypass, but that was rejected.

Cllr Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, cabinet member for economic development, said: “It is unnecessary. In the short term the bypass is not going to be a reasonable possibility.”

Trowbridge councillor Jeff Osborn wanted to know how the plan might improve the town’s medical provision.

He said: “There have been a lot of fine words written but getting the NHS to deliver will be another thing entirely.

“We have got a hospital which closed eight years ago and now we have a patchwork solution in its place.”

The strategy was always going to be controversial with green campaigners, who oppose sections which allocate land for some 37,000 new homes, many of which have already been built.

But Cllr Scott said: “We have homes allocated for young people who need affordable housing and different housing for our ageing population.

“We will of course never be able to please everyone but I think what we have here is a very sound document.”