SOUTH West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison has strongly criticised plans to build 67 new homes on a greenfield site in Westbury.

Developers Gleeson Strategic Land working with its agent Origin 3 have submitted plans for a plot of land off Sandhole Lane in Westbury.

The companies are applying to Wiltshire Council for permission to build up to 67 new homes with associated access and highways works, drainage, open space, a play area, allotments and landscaping.

Dr Murrison said: “I appreciate the need to make up Wiltshire’s five-year land supply shortfall, but west Wiltshire must not shoulder the burden of failure to build in the north of the county.

“If permission is granted, planned development in Westbury would be exceeded by at least 20 per cent, given recent and imminent building in the BA13 area.

“Local authority cite policies must be adhered to or they are meaningless. This application, if allowed, would make a mockery of Wiltshire Council’s Core Strategy, the Westbury development limit recently set and Core Policy 32.

“The land in question is largely greenfield. Let’s develop local derelict sites before concreting more of the wonderful countryside that characterises our area.”

Previously, the developers made presentations to Wiltshire Council and Westbury Town Council in August and September.

An online public consultation was open on the developers’ joint website at www.sandholelanewestbury.co.uk.

The expiry date for the consultation is Friday, February 26. The target date for a decision is Tuesday, March 23.

To comment by February 26, search Wiltshire Council planning portal using 20/11515/OUT.