PLANS have been submitted to build 140 homes on pastured land in Cricklade.

Outline planning permission has been sought for the site at Stones Farm, West Mill Lane by DPDS Consulting Group on behalf of Chris Smith and Helen Nicholls.

The 17.59 acre site proposes to include 84 market houses, the majority of which are two and three bed homes.

Under the plans there will also be 56 social rented houses.

The development will include 230 parking spaces for residents of the homes.

A pre-development review has suggested that there is a “reasonable likelihood” that protected species and important habitats in land adjacent to or near to the site will be affected.

Cricklade Town Council described the plans as “significant” and said they will “impact” local residents and amenities.

The council are in a consultation period until February 2, when the council planning committee will consider the application and make any relevant comments to Wiltshire Council, who will ultimately make the final decision.

A statement by the town council on the plans said: “It is especially important for the committee to consider how the application fits with the draft neighbourhood plan which is currently out for consultation and other developments that have already been agreed or planned.

“An extra-ordinary meeting of the Cricklade Planning Committee is to be held on January 25 for this purpose.”

Cricklade resident Wendy Smith, whose house will overlook the proposed site, has publicly opposed the plans on the grounds that the countryside needs to be maintained.

“I believe there is a need to safeguard the countryside in general,” she said.

“The field in question has links to the well-known North Meadow, a conservation area and important botanical research site, where many visitors come to view the fritillaries.

“The field also benefits from being next to the old railway line, which many walkers and cyclists enjoy on a regular basis.

“These countryside walks would be spoiled by another unsightly housing estate running alongside the track.

“The field is currently used to graze cows and is home to many different breeds of birds and various other wildlife.”

Wendy also raised concerns about the affect the homes will have on the safety of highways around the site.

Les Durrant, chairman of DPDS Consulting Group said the homes were “much needed” in the area.

He said: “It avoids extending Cricklade towards Swindon and avoids building in the Thames floodplain.

“It is within a short walk of Cricklade town centre and it includes a huge amount of open space for children to play in a safe environment, and informal space for dog walking to protect North Meadows.”

The public consultation period for the plans finishes on February 2.

Further details of the plans can be found on the Wiltshire Council planning portal at planning.wiltshire.gov.uk by searching planning application 16/12052/OUT.

The target date for a decision on the plans is March 24.