CALNE councillors hit out at plans to build a ‘relief road’ as well as 7,500 houses in Chippenham after Wiltshire Council presented their proposal on Tuesday night.

Council leader Phillip Whitehead and growth investment director Alan Richell spoke to parish and town councillors at Calne Library as they began their process of formal consultation after securing £75m from the government.

Mr Richell explained the aim of the plan is to improve congestion, improve parking and to enhance retail and leisure spots in Chippenham. He also told the meeting the road would be built before the homes, to ensure the infrastructure is in place before people move in.

Calne Town Councillor, and Labour parliamentary candidate for North Wiltshire, Jonathan Fisher said: “I felt that the council were dodging questions in that meeting. It feels like we are in the dark and that is quite disingenuous to be honest with you.

“I don’t understand how the council can write a bid for the money without consulting local people first.

“It’s also interesting they are planning to build a road as we are in the middle of a climate emergency.

“We really have to make sure the consequences of building all these houses won’t have a knock-on effect on Calne.”

Labour Cllr John Boaler added: “This meeting is the first we’ve been told about a plan that will really affect our town.

“It’s wrong that we only know about this through the press.

“I’m also worried about destruction of greenfield sites surrounding Chippenham.

“The other problem is the sheer size of the proposal. It’s comparable to building another Calne just to the east of Chippenham.”

Wiltshire Council also revealed the timeline of the relief road proposal, with road construction expected to start in 2022 and housing from 2025.

As part of their consultation the council announced they will be holding stakeholder workshops and public consultation events.

Cllr Whitehead said: “We’re not just talking about impacting one community, it’s going to be a lot more than that.”

The Housing Infrastructure Grant from the government has to be spent on this plan or else the money will be taken back.