An anonymous leaflet campaign has once again targeted a Wiltshire community and lashed out at plans to build more houses in the town – drawing criticism and support in seemingly equal measure.

The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard reported that a print-out has been urging residents to stop the creation of hundreds of houses in Malmesbury, six months after a similar campaign to deny developers the opportunity to expand the market town from its current population of just over 4,500.

The pamphlet has the logo of the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, and appears to have been designed to lead people to believe it is the work of Malmesbury Greenfield Campaign (MGC) – despite it lampooning the actions of the organisation.

Members of the steering group are looking to find the source of the leaflets, which originated from Birkenhead. Clare Davies from the MGC asserted: “I wish to make it clear that this is not official correspondence from the MGC, someone is diverting attention from their anonymous communication.

“It is a known fact that the MGC is against development of green field space and particularly the field behind the Avon Mills but all comments and objections have been submitted in the correct manner, i.e. to the Wiltshire Planning officers and through MNSG consultation process with ownership.”