A PARISH council chairman has accused civic chiefs of “throwing in the towel” after plans were approved to build more than 80 homes on land originally earmarked to breathe new life into Salisbury’s business market.

Councillor Paul Cunningham added that Netherhampton parish council “firmly opposes” the plans for houses at Harnham Business Park.

It comes as proposals were approved by Wiltshire Council for up to 82 homes on land next to Netherhampton Road, which was previously going to be for the relocation of businesses currently on Churchfields industrial estate.

Cllr Cunningham added: “There seems to be no coherent view of the impact on local infrastructure of this development or the bigger one [proposals for 740 homes in Harnham as part of Wiltshire Council’s housing allocation plan].

“This approval clearly represents the planners throwing in the towel and giving up land. That business park has been trying to attract businesses for years and can’t. The approval makes no sense to us.

“The traffic infrastructure is rubbish, and planners have massively underestimated the impact of the developments. Their heads are firmly in the sand.”

The development will include nine one-bedroom flats, 36 two bedroom houses, 36 three-bedroom houses and one house with four or more bedrooms, with a mix of social and private housing.

The plans do not form part of an ongoing proposal for 740 new homes in Harnham as part of Wiltshire Council’s housing allocation plan.

Mr Cunningham added: “We know people have to live somewhere, but there doesn’t seem to be any joined up thinking on this.”

Writing in support of the plan, Neil Russell of Wrenscroft said: “I fully support this development as it provides a good mix of housing on an area that has been an unused eyesore for years.”

Mrs Beverley Bass, also writing in support, added: “As a home owner in a neighbouring road, I think a housing development will be a big improvement on the current unused business park, which really is an eyesore.”

Toby Sturgis, cabinet member for spatial planning said: “This brownfield site has stood vacant for more than 10 years despite being marketed for business use over that period.

"The planned development will provide much-needed housing in south Wiltshire and will include 40% affordable housing provision.”

For more information about the application, go to bit.ly/2DsVZP7