WILTSHIRE County Council has backed down on its insistence that there should be two access roads to the proposed housing development on land next to Quakers Walk.

At a meeting last week, county councillors agreed to relax its policy and it now says it is happy for one main access road from London Road and a second access to Roundway Park for emergency services and public transport only.

The society of Merchant Venturers, which owns the land at Quakers Walk, is objecting to the Local Plan because it wants to build at least 400 houses on the land rather than 300 as the Local Plan proposes.

At last week's meeting the county council's environment advisory panel agreed that no more than 300 houses should be build on the site.

The society is due to speak at the inquiry on July 29 when it is expected to argue that at least 400 houses should be built on the land.

The society claims that building 300 houses on the site would not be the most efficient use of the land according to central Government guidelines.

The society says housing could be built in phases, with two phases of 150 houses followed by a third phase of 120 houses. It also questions whether there is justification for a new primary school .

Objectors will be invited back to address the issue of a second access. However, if the Society decides not to press for 400 houses, then objectors will only be able to give their views on the second access road to be used by emergency vehicles and public transport.