PLANS to build 480 homes at Old Sarum Airfield received council backing on Monday when those behind the scheme gave a presentation to Salisbury City Council.

The multi-million pound development has been submitted to Wiltshire Council for outline planning permission and is for two housing estates, a museum, restaurant and heritage centre.

Airfield managing director Grenville Hodge told the council's planning and transport committee the development was being funded by the American-based airfield owner Matthew Chance Hudson.

He said the airfield was losing money with a loss of £70k last year but insisted flying would continue at the site with houses facing the airfield for home-owners to watch planes taking off and landing.

Design architect Emily Barnston of Feilden & Mawson said the continued flying of aircraft was a "key part of the concept" and that it would become an historic airfield with 21st century facilities. Aviation heritage will form a major part of the new development with it becoming a visitor attraction for historic aircraft and with airfield display events.

Mr Hodge compared the concept to Farnborough airport with its housing development around the perimeter of the airfield and Duxford which has an active airfield and museums on site housed in First World War hangars and contemporary buildings, such as Sir Norman Foster's hangar.

He said: "We are unable to say what proportion will be affordable housing but we want part of it for Homes for Heroes which caters for service personnel who are retiring and want to stay in this area but can't afford to buy a house - and the other part we want to be for the people of Salisbury as much as possible.

"Under Section 106, we will hand over the airfield to a trust set up with a long lease and a peppercorn rent."

Cllr Penny Brown said: "I was on Salisbury District Council when these plans were initially discussed and I was enthusiastic about it even then.

"I am hugely supportive of what you are doing - Salisbury is long overdue a good quality site of housing."

Cllr Atiqul Hoque applauded the "passionate" approach of the architects while cllr Colin Froude said it was "far far better than anything we have seen since this council was formed", adding "it's in the core strategy - it will be built."

Seven councillors voted in favour of supporting the application with two - Tom Corbin and Michael Pope voting against.

Cllr Pope said there was not an adequate conservation management plan in place or an adequate plan for social housing while cllr Corbin said he did not see how the development supported the sustainability of the airfield.

The plans have caused a lot of concern among local residents with fears over noise, traffic, concerns over a development on a historic airfield and the loss of the rural nature of the environment.

The consulation ends on July 30 with a decision likely to be taken by the end of the year - once it has gone before Wiltshire councillors.