In a dramatic U-turn this week, Warminster Town Council proposed support for a development it had previously voted against.

Plans by HPH Commercial Property and Hab Housing for 35 homes on land off Boreham Road were recommended for approval by the planning committee on Monday, with four councillors voting for and three against.

The land was considered for a government-backed Neighbourhood Development Order self-build scheme for 20-30 homes last year, until the council withdrew its involvement.

Following the collapse of the NDO process, HPH submitted an application for 35 homes, which was originally opposed by the town council.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Paul Macdonald, who voted against the plans, said: “This latest skirmish in the defence of all that is good about our town against speculative advances from developers is a real eye-opener to the public and myself.”

Cllr Andrew Davis, who also voted against, added that opposition from the public, as well as the land being outside the settlement line and susceptible to flooding, were reasons for opposing the application.

Cllr Rob Fryer, who voted for the plans, said: “It’s been turned into an east versus west debate, but it’s an obvious site.

“I’m delighted as HPH and Hab have a good track record and as part of the development they have said they are going to solve some of the drainage problems, which is a positive.”

Public comments can be made until January 31, the planning application expires in March and no date has been fixed for it to come before Wiltshire Council’s Western Area Planning Committee.

Managing director of HPH Lindsay Holdoway said: “We’re very much looking forward to being part of Warminster’s future.”