CAMPAIGNERS are calling on councils to undertake an “urgent” review of current and proposed housing developments around Wellington.

The campaigners - who operate under the banner Protect Wellington - say a transparent review will ensure that developments are “sustainable, properly planned and backed by local infrastructure and facilities that residents and future homeowners will be able to rely upon.”

Protect Wellington are also encouraging area residents to “make their views known” to the town and county councils as plans take root.

A spokesperson for the campaign group, Frank Sherlock said: “We are not against developments in principle. But the scale and speed at which these housing plans are being proposed, developed or approved are deeply worrying.

“It is clear that the Government’s policy directive to build 1.5-million new homes in five years is over-riding local knowledge and local decision making. It appears that the lobbying of commercial developers is being prioritised over the long-term well-being of our community.”

Recent planning proposals on sites including Oldway Road (250 homes), Rockwell Green West (315) and Little Jurston Farm (75) are three of several developments which are set to bring more than 1,700 new homes to Wellington’s current stock, which Protect Wellington claims to be roughly 5800 (based on an average of three residents per household); a growth of around 30 per cent.

Project Wellington campaigners say they are increasingly concerned about the capacity of local infrastructure, saying that essential services are already under pressure, and that further strain could lead to “serious consequences”.

Concern was also expressed for the erosion of green space, disturbance of wildlife, and increased flooding.

Frank added: “Wellington is in danger of becoming a commuter spillover without a voice.

“We need sustainable planning that reflects the needs of our town, for example to include affordable housing: not unchecked expansion driven by commercial profit.”