PROPOSALS to allocate space for 864 new homes in Salisbury are set to be given the go-ahead next week.

This would include 640 homes on Netherhampton Road, as well as 100 just north of this site, and another 100 at Rowbarrow – all of which have already had planning applications submitted.

The homes form part of the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan, which will go before the county council’s cabinet for approval next Tuesday.

They are expected to follow the recommendation to adopt the plan – which runs to 2026, after the draft was scrutinised by government body The Planning Inspectorate.

As part of the plans, homes have also been allocated for sites on Hilltop Way (10), and Hampton Park (14).

And in addition to that figure, two areas in Durrington have also had sites allocated: Clover Lane (45) and Larkhill Road (15).

The inspectorate said that Salisbury has been identified as a “principle site” in the plan, and a focus for “growth”.

However, it added that transport would “inevitably” be impacted by the new houses.

Education was another sector that would likely be hit, as there is “a lack of capacity across the city”.

“Evidence points to the need for a new primary school,” the inspectorate added, which is something that is part of the application for 640 homes on Netherhampton Road.

“Funding contributions will be sought from developers to help provide adequate capacity [for the school].”

The scheme, which will take over the site to the south of the major route, also includes a new county park.

However, as reported, locals voiced heavy objection to the plan at a meeting last month.

During that meeting, on December 11 in Trowbridge, Simon Jackson, Salisbury City Councillor for Harnham, said: “There are concerns for Netherhampton and Quidhampton, there are many concerns about housing plans.

“There are traffic problems, there is no realistic infrastructure plan. A fully-funded and designed plan is needed before a decision can be made. Detail is missing, funding is not secured.

“The implications for the city could be dire, and Wiltshire Council will place its environmental credentials in serious doubt.”

Victoria Sturgeon, a resident of Britford, echoed these environmental concerns, especially with regards to flooding.

She said: “It seems remarkably ill-conceived to be building next to a flood plain. On this alone, the plan can not be justified in any way.”

“This is scurrilous way of rushing through an application, which is not within the boundaries of the neighbourhood plan.

“It is also clear that this development could go ahead without monies approved to improve infrastructure.”

However, the Inspectorate noted that a master plan for the site would be completed in partnership with the council before any application would be approved.

The updated Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan will be discussed by Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday.