‘Intolerable’ plans for 410 new homes have been heavily criticised by people living in Royal Wootton Bassett.

They say the loss of countryside and increased strain on under-pressure local services mean it should be turned down by Wiltshire Council planners.

The proposal by David Wilson Homes is to build the estate and a new primary school on fields east of Woodshaw, with the A3102 and Binknoll Lane taking the bulk of the extra traffic

MP for North Wiltshire James Gray has said on the application: “Whilst I do not generally comment on planning applications I strongly object to these plans.

"The potential loss of yet more of Wiltshire's countryside gives me cause for concern and the large number of properties proposed will put significant pressure on local health services, schools and roads.

"I therefore ask this application be rejected.”

A woman who lives at Swallows Mead, which is close to the site, said: “It will take up a lot of the green belt and the traffic in Bassett is terrible as it is.  

“It’s potentially two more cars per household. You can hear the traffic now, add two more cars per household to that and it will be intolerable.  

“The noise for the next five years is going to be horrendous around here. The infrastructure in Bassett is terrible too and on top of that the senior school here is oversubscribed as it is.” 

But she added she had no plans of moving out. 

“We’re in our later years," she said. "We own this and housing is more expensive now.” 

Tylen Constable, 23, who works as a barman at The Angel Hotel, said he didn’t think the plans were too bad but isconcerned about traffic. 

“I’ve lived in Bassett my whole life and it’s good seeing your hometown get bigger," he said.

"The main problem will be the traffic because the roads are stressed as it is. We’re getting a school out of it which is good, but the main thing is the traffic." 

He also said it would be good for business at The Angel, adding: “We’ll get something out of it because we’re on the high street.” 

Councillor for Royal Wootton Bassett Steven Bucknell argued: “The roads around the site, particularly the A3102 but also Binknoll Lane are already heavily congested during peak traffic hours. The proposal would exacerbate the existing congestion.”

A spokesperson for developer David Wilson Homes Southern has said in response to local objections: “The development will deliver significant investment towards local services and infrastructure, while helping to meet the demand for new homes in Wiltshire. 

“The designs have been shaped by local feedback during consultation resulting in fewer homes to be built whilst increasing the amount of public open space in the plans.”