Townspeople in Malmesbury have been warned that the pressure on primary schools and infrastructure will become hard to bear if new housing developments are given planning permission.

The proposed development at Park Road and White Lion Park was debated at the Malmesbury Area Board meeting on Wednesday night with residents worried the application may be successful.

Wiltshire councillor Toby Sturgis told those at the meeting he expected the proposal to fail.

He explained that although the previous Government’s regional spatial strategy was soon to be abolished uncertainty over current planning policy was encouraging prospective applications from developers.

But he said by the time an appeal against any rejected decision could be made the old legislation would be dead.

He said: “It is now up to you and us to decide the right level of housing provision in the county.”

He warned that if no new development was allowed eventually a planning inspector would grant permission on appeal.

Town councillor Ray Sanderson urged more to be done to ease the burden on the town’s schools.

He said: “There is a phenomenal amount of pressure on the town. Malmesbury Primary School is full to capacity. Is there going to be a new school built or an extension to this one?”

School chairman of governors Tristan Cork agreed.

He said: “The school is full.

“Since January we have had 50 enquiries and the council has now said we can’t take any more.”

Mr Cork urged Wiltshire councillors to protect the town from overdevelopment.

“Do you agree that what the people of Malmesbury require is that you vigorously defend the area from development?

“So many cases are won on appeal,” he said.

Coun Sturgis said the council was actively fighting cases through the planning process.

Residents’ Association chairman Roger Budgen said the population was sure to increase because there were already 60 family homes approved and soon to be built elsewhere in the town.