HOUSING projections for Wiltshire between 2016 and 2036 have been increased to 45,600 new homes.

The minimum number of new homes needed is 40,840, however new Government projections say the need has increased to keep up with the number of jobs created in the county by 2036.

Wiltshire Council cabinet discussed how to meet the target set out in the Local Plan during its meeting this morning at County Hall.

In Salisbury, projections hinted that housing need has dropped from 12,230 to 10,975, with most new home needed in the Chippenham area.

However Wiltshire Council believe new jobs and economic growth in Salisbury is set to outpace population change and concerns were raised that there may not be enough workers in the area, if more homes are not developed.

To meet housing need for more workers into the area, Wiltshire Council is set to investigate plans that could see continued devlepoment in Amesbury, Tidworth and Ludgershall and a new community created in rural parts outside the city near the Boscombe and Porton area.

In Salisbury 60 hectares of land for new businesses will be needed by 2036 with 10 hectares still unallocated and left to locate.

Cabinet member Cllr Toby Sturgis said testing on housing projections will now take place until the Local Plan is submitted to the Secretary of State. He said: “The worry is that the Government regularly change housing expectations. When we get to submission stage everything is fixed for two years we don’t have to worry what the Government does.

“It is a tight timeframe but the work preparation is good. It is my intention we will consult and communicate all the best we can with town and parish councils.”

During the discussion on increased housing need, mainly earmarked for the Chippenham area, cabinet members said new housing demand for Swindon should not impact Wiltshire Council’s targets.

Leader of the Council Jane Scott added: “There should be something in there that Swindon is not affecting our numbers. But if Government changes policy and something changes we need to be protected by saying we will not take their housing numbers and effect ours. It’s fine to say things are ok now but it might not be if we are told we have to take on more housing.”

Cabinet member for Housing, Cllr Richard Clewer said: “Swindon’s ability to deliver housing has been appalling. I am concerned the approach leads to assumptions we will automatically take on their sites should they fail to meet their five year land supply. We would expect them to look at their own sites.”