PEOPLE are being urged to have their say on major new plans that will govern the future of housing in Wiltshire over the next decade.

The Housing Site Allocations Plan identifies proposed sites for new homes across the county to ensure the council can meet government housebuilding targets by 2026.

The draft plan, which includes 850 new homes in Salisbury, was approved by council leaders at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday and a public consultation will start in July.

The draft plan will be available for comment on the council’s website from 14 July for 10 weeks. And there will be four public exhibitions, including one at Salisbury Guildhall from noon to 7pm on July 19.

Toby Sturgis, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for planning said: “All local planning authorities need to plan for their housing needs so we have sufficient homes for local communities now and into the future.”

The plans came under fire from the public gallery at County Hall on Tuesday.

Council leader Jane Scott and Cllr Sturgis urged people to respond to the consultation with their feedback on the plans.

Cllr Sturgis said: “If we don’t go ahead, it will flag up to developers open season in Wiltshire.”

Chairing the meeting, Baroness Scott said: “Look at the evidence, challenge the evidence, and let us have your views.”

Harnham Cllr Brian Dalton, whose division borders the proposed new housing estate in Netherhampton Road, said in a written statement to the cabinet: “The time has surely come to stop piecemeal development around Salisbury.”

He added: “The roads around Harnham cannot take more traffic. They are at capacity. Cars will queue end-to-end and often do. Residents are fed up. Just ask them.”

Lib Dem group leader Ian Thorn, raised concerns about provision of infrastructure, especially health facilities.

Baroness Scott responded that the NHS made decisions about the need for medical facilities, while Cllr Sturgis said: “If you tell developers we want more money in Section 106 agreements for infrastructure they will walk away and there will be no housing.”

The plan must be approved by the full council before a government planning inspector makes the final decision.