WARMINSTER councillors have voted to support the construction of 46 new homes at Folly Farm, off the A36.

The decision came after councillors held a public meeting with residents in the roads affected by the plans to hear their views.

Cllr Steve Jeffries, chairman of the council’s planning advisory committee, said: “There are no planning grounds for turning down new housing at Folly Farm, but the committee have come up with a number of proposals they would like to see implemented.”

Redrow Homes Ltd of Bristol wants to begin work on phase two of the estate.

The company’s plans include demolishing existing structures, new parking, garaging, open space, vehicle and pedestrian access, infrastructure and engineering works.

Following the meeting, councillors say construction on the neighbouring site should be completed before work starts on the new homes. They also want a full traffic management plan to be produced and agreed before any work starts.

They also say the developer should adhere to the Considerate Constructor scheme.

The council opposes the loss of over 100m of hedgerow and will ask Wiltshire Council’s ecologist and tree officers to review  the environmental impact assessment and arboricultural reports to reduce the amount of hedge lost and put preservation orders on its mature trees.

Cllr Jeffries added: “Experience from the Damask Way development shows that tree protection policy needs to be proactive if it is to protect biodiversity and ensure developments are sensitive to the habitat and environment of Warminster.”

The council will also ask for measures to reduce phosphate pollution. It says the phosphate pollution in the River Avon Special Areas of Conservation and Wylye Site of Special Scientific Interest from the sewage works is already unsatisfactory.

Cllr Jeffries says a sustainable energy strategy should be provided – as set out under Wiltshire Council Core Policy 41, outlining the low carbon strategy for the proposal, and that the application rules out options rather than providing a strategy.

He added: “Additional car parking spaces should be provided. There is not enough provision on the existing site.

“Cycle routes should be provided, linked to the existing development and to the town, and residents should have representation on the estate management company.

“We hope that these comments are taken on board and improve things for residents and the environment.”