A PLANNING application to build up to 300 homes and infrastructure including a bridge over part of the railway line in Westbury was approved by Wiltshire Council on Wednesday (May 11).

The development, submitted by Square Bay, will be built on land adjacent to Eden Vale Lake and also includes the rehousing of the West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association, securing its long-term future.

But several councillors are concerned that the bridge, which would ease town centre traffic congestion, is not guaranteed as £1 million still needs to be sourced to make up the £4 million needed to complete it. They fear that if the bridge is not built it would lead to a ‘cul-de-sac’ development and more traffic on the already congested Oldfield Road.

Westbury councillor Gordon King said: “On the one hand I’m really pleased that the bridge Westbury so badly needs is one step closer to becoming a reality. But on the other hand I am very disappointed that all of the provisions we wanted did not come through.

“As the building costs of the bridge are so high, the council will have to consider other options to make it possible.

“They are still £1 million pounds short and it’s now up to the council to find a way to bridge the gap.

“Residents on Oldfield Way have suffered with congestion problems for long enough and the bridge would alleviate their problems, so we need assurance that it will be built.

“One of the ways of finding the extra £1 million could be allowing more houses to be built on the other side of Mane Way, which would be a very bitter pill for everyone to swallow.”

Square Bay will contribute £2 million towards the proposed bridge, which will form part of a new road linking Mane Way and Station Road, and Wiltshire Council has set aside £1 million. Additional contingency budget means the Council is aiming to secure a further £1 million.

Concerns were also raised about an increase in traffic in the local area, particularly Dilton Marsh.

Sonja Harris, of Dilton Marsh parish council, said: “This development is going to exacerbate traffic problems in the village.

“Square Bay has failed to consider the traffic impact that 300 new homes would have.”

The developers plan to first demolish and rehouse the existing sailing association clubhouse before beginning work on the houses.

Tom Vaughan-Jones, director at Square Bay, said: “We are delighted with the decision of the strategic planning committee to grant consent for our proposals.

“This comes after nearly a year of close liaison with council planners and technical officers to arrive at a scheme that can best deliver new homes as well as the vital road infrastructure that has long been sought by the town.

“We now look forward to getting straight down to work to deliver a new facility for West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association for which we have set aside a site that is four times larger than their current facility, and are granting them a 150-year lease, free of charge.

“We will also continue to work closely with Wiltshire Council on reserved matters to finalise the layout of the new homes and the link road that is so badly needed by Westbury.”