Fears that the infrastructure of Chippenham cannot cope with thousands of planned new houses remain, despite councillors approving a plan which maps out the town’s future.

The core strategy, which governs future development in Wiltshire, was approved by councillors at a landmark council meeting on Tuesday, after more than three years of work on the blueprint.

But Chippenham has remained the biggest sticking point for core strategy planners, with concerns about the impact on the town’s green, open spaces, including Birds Marsh, from extensive housing developments.

About 750 homes will be built at Bird’s Marsh, but the plans also include a protected green corridor. Another 700 homes feature at Rawlings Green, to the east of the town, and 800 in the south west.

Coun Nina Phillips, for Cepen Park and Redlands ward, told the meeting: “The plan for Bird’s Marsh has too many houses and not enough infrastructure and facilities, including a school and a community centre, which the whole of Chippenham lacks.

“The traffic will be awful and the council should not forget that Cepen Park and Hardenuish will have their lives impacted.”

Steve Perry, of Chipp-enham Community Voice, said: “We would like to know how Chippenham residents have been consulted on the town’s upgrade to a principle settlement.”

Coun Chris Caswill, for Chippenham Monkton ward, said: “We keep being told that the traffic and transport plans will be put in place once an application has come in, but I think this is asking for trouble.”

Coun Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, the cabinet member for economic development, who headed up the 350-page document’s progress, said now was not the time for major changes ahead of its submission to the Government.

She said: “This has been under consideration since 2009 and everyone is aware of its implications. We are confident this will be a sound document.

“Not progressing the core strategy would expose Wiltshire to speculative proposals.”

She dismissed calls from the Lib Dems for an environmental management plan for land at the east of Chippenham, saying that much of that land was already subject to strict agricultural regulations.