Britford's identity under threat if homes are built on farm field

Robert Lewis, 49, has owned Britford Farm Shop for the last 10 years, selling locally-sourced preserves, honey, bread and cakes.

During his time at the shop, the 49-year-old has built up a customer base of residents travelling from Salisbury as well as people passing through the A338.

But now plans to build 220 houses on a farming field a few hundred metres away from his shop threaten the "special village little explored by many people", according to Mr Lewis.

Read more: ​Harnham residents slam Wiltshire local development plans

He said: "The housing development will only be a few bus lengths from the first house in Britford.

"You could argue that the village is being annexed to the city."

Concept plan for land north of Downton Road. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Mr Lewis is mainly concerned about the potential environmental impact of the development but said he may have to relocate his signage for the shop.

"Salisbury is known for its water meadows and fields. This one field is what separates the city from the countryside and it is very important," he added.

Wiltshire Council said the new development would be "contained" and separation from Britford retained by enhancing a hedgerow on its border.

See more: ​Wiltshire Council criticised for not repairing Salisbury City Hall

Every house would be located within Flood Zone 1, which means there is less than one in 1,000 annual probability of them falling victim to river flooding.

Mr Lewis said he is "perplexed" at where the need for more than 1,000 new houses in Salisbury has been drawn from.

He added: "There is no university or offices of large scale and building houses at a time of economic hardship and unattainable mortgages seems completely absurd.

"I think it is madness."

Britford Farm Field, with a view of Salisbury Cathedral. (Image: Robert Lewis)

On Tuesday, July 11, Wiltshire Council Cabinet endorsed the local plan and it will be considered by Full Council on July 18, before a public consultation later in the autumn.

This revision of the plan, which has been in development since 2017, reduced the overall number of houses needed in Wiltshire from 45,630 to 36,740 but increased the amount in Salisbury.

Seven sites, which would see a total of 1,100 dwellings built near the city, include:

• 350 houses close to the Portway site near Old Sarum
• 100 houses on land north of the Beehive Park and Ride site
• 220 houses on land north of Downton Road 
• 265 dwellings on land south of Harnham
• 45 dwellings on land west of Coombe Road
• 60 dwellings on land at Netherhampton Road Garden Centre
• 50 dwellings on land at Church Road, Laverstock

Read more coverage of the Wiltshire Local Plan below

• Residents angry about plans to build
• Council Local Plan includes new housing developments for Salisbury
• Britford resident concerned about Downton Road development

To view the full Local Plan proposed by Wiltshire Council, click here.