A DRAFT plan which sets out how how Wiltshire Council will provide sufficient housing has been agreed.

The plan, detailing how they will meet residents’ needs in the future was agreed at full council on Tuesday, July 10 and will now go to the Secretary of State for closer examination.

For north and west Wiltshire, the overall level of growth proposed for allocation in the draft plan is 1,400 homes across 13 sites.

Much of the housing growth has already been delivered or identified and the proposed plan brings forward further sites, designed to ensure the scale of growth appropriate is managed and directed in the most sustainable locations.

Toby Sturgis, cabinet member for planning said: “We are now in the next phase of this key planning process when the report, along with the feedback we’ve received, goes to the Secretary of State for closer examination.

“All local planning authorities have to plan for their housing needs so that is has sufficient homes for local communities now and in the future.

“This plan will also help ensure that development takes place in the most appropriate locations in Wiltshire and provides a strong defence against any speculative development applications.”

The Secretary of State will appoint an inspector who will consider the plan alongside the council’s schedule of proposed changes and all the submitted evidence, including the representations received through the formal consultation undertaken in 2017.

Once adopted, the draft plan will form part of the development plan for north and west Wiltshire to meet residents’ needs.