More houses are needed for Wiltshire’s young generation, the councillor overseeing the county’s 2026 Core Strategy has said on the day that a consultation into the plans got under way.

A draft of the strategy, which dictates future development zones in towns and villages between now and 2026, was approved at a meeting of councillors on Tuesday meaning that the people of Wiltshire have six weeks to have their say ahead of a government inspection of the report.

Coun Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, cabinet member for economic development and strategic planning, said: “We are living longer yet our young people need somewhere to live.

“Young people in our county want to see jobs and houses so restricting the growth of houses in Wiltshire will only make it more difficult for this generation.”

The plan was attacked by Chippenham constituency MP Duncan Hames, who wants to see three five-year phases of development to ensure that any future growth is managed more carefully. The plan was previously rejected by councillors.

He told the meeting: “I respect your right and your responsibility to make a decision that takes us forward. “I hope that decision will be the right one, but if it is not you will be held accountable by the electorate.”

A Liberal Democrat proposal to extend the public consultation to ten weeks was rejected by Conservative councillors. Fears that the Core Strategy will give developers a free reign were raised. Coun Nigel Carter, from Devizes North, said: “I have been through the strategy and there are many references to the word ‘some’. Throughout the whole document we see far too much in the way of equivocal language.”

Wiltshire people can have their say on the document at their next Area Board meeting, in their nearest library or online at www.

wiltshire.gov.uk