CONCERNS have been raised over plans to build hundreds of new homes, a primary school, a local centre and a country park on fields at the edge of Salisbury.

Thrive Architects put together plans on behalf of Vistry Western to build the 406 houses on land south of Netherhampton Road near West Harnham in Salisbury.

The plans form the second phase of a masterplan to build a total of 640 homes in the area, Wilton Gate, which was approved in June 2020.

This second phase of development was previously granted planning permission earlier this year, but newly submitted plans have seen some minor changes.

The plans said: “The design for phase two was developed to reflect the approved masterplan while incorporating the changes within the north-west corner of the site as a result of the school site being relocated.

“The changes provided challenges in terms of amending the access to align with the new school position and phase one layout, together with incorporating a suitable drainage strategy for this phase.”

A wildflower meadow and bat/bird boxes have also been included in the latest plans.

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Salisbury City Council members asked for the application to be deferred when they discussed it in a planning and development meeting last week on grounds that councillors were given insufficient time to consult on the plans.

They also had issues with uncertainty over the community infrastructure levy and Section 106 obligation – planning charges that local authorities use to fund infrastructure projects.

The approved masterplan for the site Picture: Thrive Architects

Councillor Pauline Church (Conservative, Wilton) also asked for the plans to be considered by Wiltshire Council’s planning committee should council officers recommend approval.

Out of the 406 homes, 147 would be classed as affordable, made up of 82 affordable rent properties and 65 shared ownership units.

The housing mix would be 10 one-bed flats, 92 two-bed houses, 173 three-bed houses, 114 four-bed houses and 17 five-bed houses.

According to the plans, a new roundabout would be created off Netherhampton Road to create an access to the site.

When your Salisbury & Avon Gazette reported on the plans previously, many readers got in touch to express their concerns.

P Arnott said: “I think it is a dreadful idea. The road to town will never manage the amount of cars. Harnham will be polluted with exhaust fumes. I thank you for ruining Harnham.”

The applicant said any additional traffic generated by the proposed development would not be significant and that the plans would help address Wiltshire Council’s shortage of affordable homes.

To view the plans, visit the planning section of Wiltshire Council’s website and search reference PL/2025/07605.