Plans for 57 homes in Devizes have been branded “dreadful proposals”.

Wiltshire councillor Laura Mayes, who represents Roundway, has challenged the controversial proposals for the swathe of homes on land between Parkfields and Quakers Road.

The space forms part of Wiltshire Police’s county HQ on London Road, and is to be sold due to lack of use. 

The decision came after Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson reviewed all police sites and associated buildings as part of his Estates Strategy 2017-21.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Nearby residents oppose the plans for the land, pictured belowNearby residents oppose the plans for the land, pictured below

In a meeting of Devizes Town Council this week, Mrs Mayes called-in the proposal to the council’s eastern planning committee.

She added that she was in communication with residents surrounding the issue, and that she was not in support of it.

Cllr Judy Rose, who represents South Ward, said: “I’d like to think there some very sound planning reasons for not letting this go ahead.

"I think it’s a dreadful proposal, I really do, taking away green space, crowding people in there, making an absolutely mockery of any decent access via Parkfields and up onto the main road.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PLANNING APPLICATION 

“It is of great concern with residents, a really bad application and we shouldn’t support it,” she added.

Liberal Democrat candidate Mark Mangham mentioned the fact that a transport report included in the plans held out-of-date data.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: This week's meetingThis week's meeting

He added: "It doesn't show the second half of the Quakers Walk development. I will be very surprised if the area we are talking about was not used as a green lung space to justify the Quakers Walk development itself."

One Parkfields resident also highlighted blind spots near the road and major accidents in the area and added: "I’ve got a young family and I think child safety is important.

"The amount of vehicles that would be going through such a small space would affect safety and crossing roads.”

Mrs Mayes also suggested in the meeting that the future PCC for Wiltshire review his or her estate strategy.

Devizes Town Council rejected the proposals, but Wiltshire Council will have the final say.

Laura Mayes and Mark Mangham are standing in the upcoming Wiltshire elections.

For the full list of unitary candidates in Wiltshire, click here