Objections raised over Persimmon ‘vision’ for Salisbury site

Persimmon Homes is consulting on its proposals for a “high-quality, attractive and sustainable development” on land to the north of Downton Road.

A children's play area would be delivered with a network of green spaces and trails, which Persimmon says would lead to a “net gain in biodiversity”.

The site has been earmarked in Wiltshire Council's draft Local Plan as being suitable for development because of its proximity to the Britford Park & Ride, employment opportunities at the district hospital and an expected boost for the city centre.

Persimmon is consulting on its vision to bring “high-quality, attractive and sustainable development” to the land near Britford (Image: Newsquest) The draft plan was approved by Wiltshire Council's cabinet in October. It is due to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by the end of the year for further scrutiny.

Locals are worried that building homes on the site would impact on traffic, air quality and the environment and increase the flood risk in neighbouring Britford.

The land is also viewed as a ‘green buffer’ that separates Salisbury and Britford that, if lost, could put the village's identity under threat.

Read more: Building houses on farming field would 'severely compromise' village's identity 

But Persimmon says its designs are sensitive to the site, would not increase the risk of flooding and would fulfil an urgent need for more homes in the Salisbury area.

Objecting to the proposals in a letter to the Journal, Harnham resident Annabel Lawson said: “The development will completely cover a large field which fulfils a number of critical purposes.

“For the people of Britford, some still traumatised by the flooding of last winter, by far the most important is the fact that this large green area soaks up huge amounts of run-off water as it makes its way down-hill from the development above.

“Every winter this field is completely saturated, the bottom corner actually flooding.

“By covering this field in concrete too, the water meadows will once again be overwhelmed, and existing houses threatened with greater flooding. ‘Sustainable?’ Absolutely not.”

Persimmon's consultation leaflet for residents (Image: Annabel Lawson) Mark Clark, who lives in Fordingbridge, agreed over claims that Britford could become “yet another suburb of Salisbury”.

The city council objected to Downton Road being included in Wiltshire's draft Local Plan, citing traffic congestion, air quality, water supply capacity the landscape impact.

Cllr Annie Riddle (Harnham West), who chairs the city's Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group, said: “The site forms a green buffer separating Salisbury from Britford village.

“Supporting the distinctiveness of settlements is supposed to be Wiltshire Council strategic planning policy.

“Traffic to and from the development will significantly worsen congestion at the Harnham Gyratory. The combined effect on air quality needs to be modelled and resolved.

“Not a single brownfield site has been considered seriously by Wiltshire as an alternative.”

Independent councillor Annie Riddle Cllr Sven Hocking (Harnham East) believes the site should not be developed until existing brownfield sites, such as land known as the Engine Sheds adjacent to the city's railway station, have been built on.

He said: “We should be finding ways to maximise what is on our doorstep first, after which, providing the evidence base is there, other sites might be considered. Until then, we should leave the greenfield sites alone.”

John Glen, the MP for Salisbury – who visited Britford when it flooded in January – has spoken to communities who are opposed to developments on the city's fringes.

Read more: Debate turns 'ugly' as councillors quizzed on home building plan 

“I share their grave concerns that the new government’s 81 per cent increase in Wiltshire’s housing allocation will hamper our ability to protect much loved local landscapes from the blight of cookie cutter housing,” he said.

“Flood risk is a key issue that must be satisfactorily addressed.

“We need the right houses for local people in the right places, but developers will only achieve this by listening and tapping into local knowledge.

“I am pressing the government to moderate its ambitions for housebuilding to more reasonable levels.”

John Glen MP in flooded Britford in January (Image: John Glen) A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes said: “These are initial proposals and we are keen to have a constructive dialogue with local residents and councillors as to how development should be taken forward.

“That is why we are holding a full public consultation.

“Residents should be aware that we have produced a sensitive design to the site and are only proposing homes south of the public right away which has the lowest risk of flooding.

“We are also proposing a range of mitigation and drainage improvements and this will be supported by a flood risk assessment.

“This will demonstrate there is no increased risk of flooding elsewhere.

“We have also reduced development on site, expanded the green open space to preserve viewpoints of the cathedral and provided a green buffer between Salisbury and Britford.

“There is an urgent need for more homes around Salisbury and that is why this site has been allocated in Wiltshire Council’s draft local plan.

“We believe these proposals respond well to the requirements of the site but we remain eager to work with residents to ensure we bring forward a high-quality scheme at this important and attractive location.”

There are criticisms that the local plan could cause Britford to lose its ‘green buffer’ (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Nick Botterill, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for development management and strategic planning, said: “The draft Local Plan, which is yet to be adopted, identifies the land north of Downton Road, Harnham, as a site allocation to provide for approximately 220 homes.

“Representations have been received on this allocation during consultation on the Local Plan which will be considered by the Inspector appointed to examine the plan following its submission to the Secretary of State by the end of the year.

“There is currently no live planning application on the site.

“If one was submitted, it would be processed in the usual way, in accordance with planning law and both local and national planning policy.”

You can see the proposals online by visiting downtonroad.your-feedback.co.uk. Persimmon is welcoming feedback until Sunday, November 17.