DEVELOPMENT on 1,000 homes has to be accepted on Middlewick Ranges or the council risks being ‘shafted’ with more.

The firing ranges have been included in the draft Local Plan after the Ministry of Defence decided to sell off the area.

Concerns were raised about infrastructure for the surrounding area with roads and healthcare services, and also the historical significance of the site.

Local Plan Committee chairman Martin Goss (Lib Dem) said: “I’m uncomfortable with Middlewick Ranges being included at this late stage.

“I don’t like it being submitted late because those affected do not get the time to fight and which other places have had.

“On the converse putting a red line through it means we leave ourselves open to the planning inspector, the MoD could complain and the planning inspector could put 2,000 homes on there and we have shafted ourselves.

“I do get why Middlewick Ranges is causing angst.”