Protestors against plans to build 123 more homes on land at Quakers Walk, Devizes, are gearing up to take on the developer.

An outline planning application for the second phase of homes on a site, which is next to an ancient bridleway, has been submitted to Wiltshire Council.

In it, agent Smith Gore – working for the land owner, The Merchant Venturers – reveals that a majority of people who objected to the scheme following a consultation in November were worried about it creating extra traffic along London Road.

But these fears are dismissed in consultant’s report, which states: “Whilst a number of concerns were raised by local residents about existing areas of congestion and traffic impacts associated with the development, the transport assessment demonstrates that the development will not have a material impact on the local highway network surrounding the site.”

Despite that, it does concede that Wiltshire Council is likely to want road improvements and commits to negotiate about how much the Merchant Venturers should contribute.

In November last year, protesters turned out in force when an exhibition of the plans was held at Devizes Sports Club.

Devizes Town Council, Roundway Parish Council and Bishops Cannings Parish Council have pledged to work together to fight the scheme.

They say that the Devizes and District Neighbourhood Plan has found sufficient land for new homes to meet its quota under the core strategy, without the need for building at Quakers Walk.

Roundway Parish Council chairman Chris Callow said: “We will fight this as hard as we possibly can.

“These homes are not needed to meet the quotas in the Neighbourhood Plan.”

Devizes Town Council is particularly worried about the impact of more traffic on London Road and the effect for people trying to travel through the town.

Bishops Cannings parish councillor Diane Carey said it was important for all the councils to be united in their disapproval.

Some people consulted were also worried about the effect on animal habitats.

The Smith Gore report says: “This survey concludes that the development will not have an impact on biodiversity andwildlife.”

The new planning application also allows for a 35m buffer zone between the homes and the Quakers Walk footpath and does not include hard surfacing for the path.