DEVELOPERS claim a planning application for new homes in Westbury will secure the long-term future of West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association, if approved.

The planning application, for up to 300 new homes next to Westbury sailing lake, as well as a new road bridge, will be decided by the Council’s Strategic Planning Committee on Wednesday, May 11.

Wiltshire Council’s planning team have recommended approval of the planning application, which was submitted by Square Bay.

Tom Vaughan-Jones, director at Square Bay, said: “If our planning application is approved, we will be providing West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association with a new site on the northern bank of the lake, free of charge, clearing the site ready for the club’s use and providing all the necessary services such as mains electricity.

“We will install a new jetty, two slipways and hard standing, and will fence in the site. In addition, we will be digging out part of the lake directly in front of the jetty to enable the club to perform capsize drills.

“We are doing all of this free of charge as we recognise that the sailing club, which operates as a charitable trust, is an invaluable community asset and want to see it remain so far into the future.”

The bridge, which will be delivered by Wiltshire Council with the help of funding from the developer, will form part of a new road linking Mane Way and Station Road, allegedly reducing traffic flow by up to 55 per cent in peak hours.

The plans will also see the relocation of West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association to a new facility on the northern bank of Westbury sailing lake.

Margaret Pell, president of West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association, said: “The approval of the planning application for new homes at this site, which is allocated for housing in Wiltshire’s Core Strategy, will secure the long term future of our club.

“We currently rent a small parcel of land to the south of the site. If these plans go through, we will be granted a 150-year lease on a site that is four times bigger, with everything we require to operate as normal, with the opportunity to raise funds from Sport England and other sources towards building a new club house.

“As a charitable trust, this will be invaluable in ensuring we can continue to exist and thrive for future generations of young people in Westbury and the surrounding area.

“Of course, there is also the hope that young residents in the new development will want to get involved with the club.”