Friday 2nd January 2026
From the Facebook page of EBBRAG (the East Boreham Business And Residents Action Group) ~
From The Wiltshire Times (Senior Correspondent John Baker) Friday 2nd January 2026:
Development Of Farm Land In Warminster Sparks Concern
Residents in Warminster have voiced growing concerns as developers press ahead with proposals for two farmland sites just as the town’s Neighbourhood Plan Review reaches its final consultation stage.
The Warminster Neighbourhood Plan (WNP) Review, a community-led framework designed to protect local heritage, safeguard green spaces and guide future development, is now nearing completion following three years of preparation.
An eight-week public consultation on the full draft plan is due to begin at the end of January 2026. Following this, the plan will be submitted to Wiltshire Council for independent examination in the summer, before being put to a local referendum. A majority vote in favour would be required for the plan to be formally adopted.
However, many residents have voiced concerns that the process may not progress quickly enough to prevent farmland being used for housing development sites.
Developers including Bellway Homes and Rubix Land are already advancing proposals on sites previously considered by the town council during earlier stages of the plan’s development.
At Home Farm on Boreham Road, Bellway Homes is proposing up to 135 new houses. Meanwhile, at Ashley Coombe, Rubix Land is continuing to pursue a development scheme despite the town council withdrawing its support after updated surveys raised concerns about land levels, underground services and potential odour issues.
More than 320 residents have voiced their opposition to the developments ahead of the Neighbourhood Plan Review public consultation being launched.
Around 100 residents attended a public meeting over the summer to discuss the Ashley Coombe proposals, while the East Boreham Business and Residents Action Group (EBBRAG) has launched a campaign to strongly oppose development at Home Farm, holding meetings and mobilising support online.
EBBRAG members Gwyn and Anne Evans said: “Development of this land was unequivocally turned down by a Government inspector in 2020. Despite this, our local town council has included this complex site as a singular option for development, for residents of Warminster to vote on at referendum, even though 61 per cent voted against this in its informal survey.
“To add more fuel to the fire of opposition, Bellway Homes, with the full knowledge of the town council, are poised to submit a ‘speculative’ planning application. Local residents are outraged at how a supposedly democratic and ‘community led’ process can be willingly compromised in this manner.
“We feel decisions, well intentioned though they may have been, have largely been made behind closed doors and without meaningful reference to the community of Warminster.”
Bellway Homes says its Home Farm scheme is needed to help meet local housing demand. The developer has stated that 40 per cent of the homes would be affordable, with provision for multi-generational living, and that more than half of the 5.9-hectare site would be retained as public green space.
Residents raised questions about the plans at a public consultation on November 19, with formal feedback accepted until December 5. The group is urging locals to formally object to the housing proposal.
At Ashley Coombe, Rubix Land is promoting a revised proposal for 77 homes, now accessed solely via Ashley Coombe after removing a previously included parcel of land near Fanshaw Way. The developer says it remains committed to the site, despite the withdrawal of the WNP Review Steering Group support.
In a statement, Rubix said: “Whilst the WNPR Steering Group has withdrawn support for this revised scheme, Rubix considers it offers a suitable and acceptable alternative.” The company is seeking further feedback from the community on design, green space and connectivity.
Meanwhile, Warminster town councillor Phil Keeble has urged residents to take part in the upcoming consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan, saying: “The draft plan has been prepared by local representatives with the input of hundreds of residents. Your feedback is vital to inform the final plan we submit for formal examination and adoption.”
Further information about the Neighbourhood Plan consultation is available from Warminster Town Council on 01985 214847, by emailing [admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk](mailto:admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk), or via [www.warminsterplan.com](http://www.warminsterplan.com/).
Picture shows an artist’s impression of how the new houses on the farmland will look. Image from Wiltshire Council.
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/…/25731692…/
For further information about the Home Farm development please contact EBBRAG (the East Boreham Business And Residents Action Group:
email: info@ebbrag.com
website: www.ebbrag.com