PLANS have been put in for more than 260 houses to be built in Melksham, at land off the A365 at Shurnhold.

Gladman Developments and Nicholas Keen sent in plans to Wiltshire Council on December 22. The scheme includes demolishing farm buildings, but keeping a listed farmhouse, and building up to 263 houses with access, open space and landscaping.

Plans for a further 270 homes further down the A365 were also submitted by Persimmon Homes last month, on the former George Ward School. The idea that over 500 new houses could be built if both plans are approved has worried some locals.

Mike Booth, who lives at Shaw Hill, said the main worries are an increase in flooding, traffic and impact on school capacity.

He said: “There is a great deal of alarm among local residents about the scale of these two developments and the potential impact it will have on life in Shaw and Whitley.

“As we know that stretch of road is prone to flooding yet remarkably it has been classed as Flood Risk Zone 1, the government’s preferred location for development, and therefore has the lowest risk of flooding.

“500 new homes means over 500 more vehicles yet the proposed development only promised ‘enhancements’ to the local footpath and cycle network.

“The A365 is already a busy road and adding this additional volume at peak times is bound to increase the drop-off/pick-up gridlock around Shaw primary school.”

A public consultation leaflet distributed to residents in Shurnhold, Shaw and Roundpound by Gladman Developments in November says there is capacity in local GP surgeries and adds: “We understand that there is sufficient capacity in the primary/senior school to accommodate the expected number of children who will be living on the completed development.”