Chapmanslade residents are backing plans to build up to 40 new houses on part of Barters Farm in the village.

Almost 30 people were at a recent parish council meeting to hear the scheme explained by developers Lochailort Investments Limited.

The plans are for homes of between one and five bedrooms, 30 per cent of which would be subsidised and affordable housing.

Council chairman Phil Jefferson said: “The majority of people at the meeting were broadly in favour of the proposal.

“I think this is because the trend has been for houses in the village to be quite expensive and at the high end of the range on price.

“We possibly need a broader spread of housing in different size and price because there is a concern we aren’t catering for youngsters who want to stay in the village.”

The plans were explained to the meeting by Lochai-lort’s managing director Hugo Haig, who stressed that his company’s work was at a relatively early stage and that he would not proceed with the development if the Chapmanslade community rejected it.

Other parts of the plan, which have yet to be put to Wiltshire Council, include off-street parking, private gardens and raised areas of roadway to reduce speeds.

Mr Jefferson said: “There are obviously concerns. Do we need to build more houses in our village?

“We know people are concerned that adding more buildings could change the character of the village.

“Another concern is obviously the road. Can we cope with more cars on what is already a busy and tricky road?

“We are looking to work with the developers to try and work out the issues.”

The scheme will now go to Wiltshire Council planners for a decision.