Health campaigners and Westbury residents who have had the chance to look at proposals to build 72 homes on the former Westbury Community Hospital are still unhappy about the scheme.

Many who opposed the hospital’s closure in April 2012 were furious after hearing about the plans: the draft proposal by NHS Property Services, which took over the site in April 2013, sees the 2.3 hectares off Hospital Road used for 72 homes – 21 of which would be affordable.

A recent display of the details at The Laverton claimed there would also be improved access and less traffic than when the hospital was in operation.

Erica Watson, vice-chairman of Westbury’s League of Friends, said: “I spoke to several NHS reps and felt communication between them and the community was poor.

“I was told the site with outline planning permission would be worth between £2.5-3m but that none of this money would come back to this area unless the Clinical Commissioning Group puts in a bid for health needs here.”

Cllr Gordon King, who also attended the consultation, said: “It’s a very disappointing application. I’d never have chosen the site for residential property.

“I hoped it might be used for healthcare, such as care homes, but I accept that bringing the hospital back wasn’t an option.”

Some people who went to the presentation raised questions about the access and the potential increase in traffic.

Mr and Mrs Dyer, who live on Hospital Road, said: “You could potentially have 150 extra cars. Anyone who knows Hospital Road knows it is already congested.”

People are being encouraged to comment on the draft plans before February 27, when they will be finalised and sent to Wiltshire Council to seek outline planning permission.