A COMMUNITY group is urging Lord Pembroke to reconsider plans for housing on farmland south of Harnham.
The Halt Harnham Housing (HHH) group has launched a petition calling on William Herbert, who lives at the family seat, Wilton House, in Wiltshire, to pause proposals that could see around 310 homes built.
It asks instead, to explore a “long-term vision that would protect the landscape while delivering environmental, community and public wellbeing benefits”.
While recognising the need for new homes, the group believes development should prioritise suitable brownfield sites before productive farmland and valued countryside are lost.
They also argue concerns over traffic, healthcare capacity and infrastructure should be fully addressed before further greenfield development is approved.
The land south of Harnham is regarded by many residents as one of Salisbury‘s most important green spaces. Bordering Lime Kiln Down County Wildlife Site and lying close to the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, the area supports wildlife, productive farmland and an extensive network of informal paths used by walkers, families and residents throughout the year, the HHH group says.
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A spokesperson for HHH said: “We understand that Salisbury needs new homes, but we also believe some places are too important to lose when there are alternatives available.”
Rather than housing, campaigners say the site presents a rare opportunity to create something distinctive for Salisbury. Located close to Salisbury District Hospital, they say the land could become a “lasting community landscape” where nature recovery, sustainable farming and public access work together to improve biodiversity, health and wellbeing.
The group spokesperson added: “This landscape already provides enormous benefits for wildlife, farming and recreation. We hope this petition encourages a wider conversation about how this exceptional area could become a lasting legacy for Salisbury rather than simply another housing development.”
The petition calls on Lord Pembroke, whose estate owns the land, to work with Wiltshire Council, Salisbury District Hospital, conservation organisations and the community to explore this alternative vision “before irreversible decisions are made”.
Campaigners hope the petition will demonstrate the strength of support for protecting the countryside south of Harnham and ensuring all realistic options for its future are properly considered.
In response to the petition, the developer chosen by the trustees to bring forward the planning application, Wyatt Homes, said they have already met with residents to “understand their concerns”.
A Wyatt Homes spokesperson said: “This site has previously been identified by Wiltshire Council as suitable for housing development. We met with hundreds of residents at the public consultation and separately with many of the neighbours to understand their concerns.
“The proposals will deliver a high quality and lasting legacy including much needed affordable homes that make use of renewable energy and locally sourced materials, alongside an increase in bio-diversity, new public footpaths and an early years nursery, brought forward by Wyatt Homes, who have been delivering award-winning homes across the South-West for over 35 years.”
The read the petition in full can be viewed at the Change.org website.
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