A REVISED bid has been put forward for the controversial Marsh Farm development north of Royal Wootton Bassett.

The original plan, which proposed 320 houses, a community ‘hub’, public spaces, a large superstore, and residential homes, was rejected by Wiltshire Council in April 27 last year after it received hundreds of letters of objection.

Now residents in Wootton Bassett who submitted objections have received the new plans from Leda Properties hoping to assuage their fears about the impact of the development, which will also see a Lidl built close to the town’s high street.

The revised scheme shows a buffer zone and woodland between the houses and M4, the number of homes is reduced to 219, and plans for 33 'senior living units' have been removed.

But councillors still say it will exceed the town’s housing capacity beyond the 1,455 target set for 2026.

Town councillor Steve Bucknell told the Adver: “I don’t think the revised plans change anything.

"It is still the wrong location for housing, and RWB has already met and exceeded its requirements for housing.

"The proposal for community facilities such as a doctor’s surgery are an empty promise - the NHS will not support an additional surgery so it would not be occupied.

“There are still concerns about the capacity of local infrastructure - especially schools and roads.

"Likewise the applicants still haven’t answered the serious concerns about surface water drainage and the damage that would be caused to Jubilee Lake.”

The site sits on the outskirts of the town next to the A3102 at the roundabout leading to Purton.

Planning officers at Wiltshire Council – who are recommending refusal – said Leda Properties' plans would lead to a loss of green countryside, have a negative impact on a heritage asset, the Marsh Farm Hotel, and failed to meet its Wiltshire Core Strategy standards on affordable housing, highways and education.