A move to demolish Fairview House in Warminster and build seven houses and six flats on the land was condemned by local people at a meeting on Monday.

Councillors heard objections from several residents, with many arguing that it is an overdevelopment of Gipsy Lane.

The application from Selwood Housing, which was initially for eight houses and six flats, failed to win councillors’ backing in July, and was resubmitted with one less house.

Residents feel there is no reason to demolish Fairview House and are concerned about additional traffic from the new Ashwood Care Centre, which is due to open in Gipsy Lane at the end of this month.

Chairman of Gipsy Lane Community Group, Martin Somervell, said: “This site is a small one with a very narrow access lane designed to cope with local traffic for five houses and Fairview only.

“With the provision for parking of 28 cars, the load is going to be considerably greater than the capacity can cope with and is on top of the additional load faced imminently on Plants Green Lane due to the three shifts of 30 staff each turning over every day at the new care home.

“Notwithstanding this reduction by only one in the number of housing units, we still remain very concerned about the density of the building proposed, especially given that it is aimed at families with children.

“It remains a plan for overdevelopment, out of keeping with the evolving town neighbourhood plan of a place to live, work and enjoy.”

Resident Andy Jelly said: “The Selwood Housing proposed changes to their plans do little to overcome the problems that this development, if approved, will create. Our lanes won’t cope with this additional traffic.”

Councillors at Warminster Town Council’s planning advisory committee meeting voted unanimously to object to the application, which is due to go before Wiltshire Council’s western area planning board on September 24.