NEW homes should be built on brownfield sites in Trowbridge town centre to protect greenfield land, according to consultation responses to the Wiltshire Local plan.

As part of the Local Plan, formally known as the Core Strategy, Brownfield sites in the centre of the town offering jobs and employment should have priority for new homes to protect greenfield land and make the town more attractive.

The current Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan states that housing need for Trowbridge and surrounding villages from 2006 until 2026 is 6,975. 3,275 homes have been completed, 1,593 are planned and 2,230 are left to be earmarked.

The Government says a minimum of 40,500 homes is the minimum local housing need for Wiltshire for the period 2016 to 2036.

Discussing the Wiltshire Local Plan at full cabinet on Tuesday (March 26) Liberal Democrat Cllr Brian Mathew took the opportunity to quiz Wiltshire Council on how it would include environmentally friendly work in its local plan for future housing after a motion was agreed to acknowledge a Climate Emergency.

Cllr Brian Mathew said: “This is a golden opportunity for the implementation of much of what was discusse with the motion 13 and 15 climate emergency and environment and global warming. I was pleased to see climate change considerations room for that. What arrangement is making portfolio holder.” Leader of the council Jane Scott said; “We need to plan and train and have discussions. Our motion said we will do that do we will."

Following consultations into wider housing areas for Wiltshire until 2036, Trowbridge Housing Market Area has been confirmed.

It will include half of Melksham as well as Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Westbury and Warminster.

Melksham is split between Trowbridge and Chippenham due to its geographical location next to Trowbridge but businesses ties with Chippenham.

Hearings for the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations development plan document are due to begin in April.