Westbury Leigh villagers are ready to fight any attempt to use their village car park for housing, after preventing the West Wiltshire District Council from doing so seven years ago.

Residents are concerned about the future of the car park, which has 40 spaces, ahead of the launch of Wiltshire Council’s county-wide review of parking.

Many believe the consultation, which launches next Monday, could see the council sell the car park for housing as it is free and does not bring in any revenue.

Villagers met last Wednesday at Westbury Leigh Community Hall and Church, with residents speaking about how vital the car park is to the area.

Resident Christopher Trinder said: “If they sell off the car park we won’t have anywhere to park around here. Parking spaces in the village are very limited and this car park can hold up to 40 cars at any one time.

“The villagers need this car park, it is essential to the community and many residents and local groups use it on a regular basis. It would cause huge problems in the town if we lost use of it.

“West Wiltshire District Council tried to make it into houses several years back and now we are concerned Wiltshire Council will try and do the same thing, but we will not let it happen.”

West Wiltshire District Council attempted to build five houses with eight car parking spaces on the car park, as part of its plans for 400 affordable homes for the district in 2006, however it was unsuccessful.

Westbury town and Wiltshire councillor Gordon King said: “ This car park is free and doesn’t produce and revenue, so would be vulnerable and the residents are right to raise the issue.”

A Wiltshire Council spo-kesman said: “We would encourage everyone to get involved in the car parking consultation and make their views known.”