COUNCILLORS in Bradford on Avon are concerned that the town’s neighbourhood plan could be altered against their wishes by Wiltshire Council.

The draft plan, which details development in the town until 2026, was made public in May after three years of consultation by the neighbourhood plan working group.

Key developments approved as part of Wiltshire Council Core Strategy include 138 new homes at Kingston Farm and Spitfire Homes’ proposal to build 60 houses to the north of Holt Road and Cemetery Lane.

However, town councillors are worried that the draft sent to Wiltshire Council has been altered and may no longer reflect what residents voted for.

Cllr Laurie Brown said: “We have done everything we can to follow the guidelines but we have received quite a critical reply from Wiltshire Council.

“It appears they are trying to steer it in the direction of a countywide strategy and not one which is best for the town.”

Cllr Simon Fisher said: “If the point of this exercise is the officers at County Hall can dictate what they think is good for Bradford on Avon, even if the town disagrees, I cannot see what is good about that.”

Cllr Martin Newman echoed these sentiments and added: “My concern is that if we incorporate their amendments into our neighbourhood plan, it may be very different from the one that the public voted on, which would be awful.”

However, Deputy Mayor Gwen Allison, chairman of the neighbourhood plan working group, said the adjustments were necessary in order to get the whole proposal approved.

“They had a look and commented on various parts of it,” she said. “It is a bit annoying but We have to make these minor amendments so it can get accepted.”

“They are helping us get it right for the inspector. When the inspector says it abides with all the legislation it goes to Wiltshire Council who will then hopefully give it the go ahead.”

The draft’s objectives involve providing sustainable development in the town, ensuring the town has a viable economic future, to protect and improve community facilities, minimise traffic and improve provision for pedestrians, protect rural settings and the green belts and concentrate on the provision of housing for local needs.

Focus groups made up of residents, business owners, architects, planners and councillors examined climate change, community wellbeing, conservation and design, economy and enterprise, transport and movement, housing for all and green spaces.

The draft will be sent to Wiltshire Council in November. It will be checked by an independent inspector, be the subject of a referendum and then finally go before the planning authority for approval.