Melksham – the new Swindon? Locals up in arms over plans for 2,585 new houses

LOCALS have reacted with anger to Wiltshire Council’s proposed plan to build over 2,500 new houses in Melksham.

The town’s already stretched health care facilities is top of the list of concerns of residents, with some calling for Melksham Hospital to increase the services it offers. And others have described the increasing size of the town as something that could eventually rival the size of Swindon.

“We need a new doctors’ surgery before anything,” said Valerie Hillier in response to the story about Wiltshire Council’s plans in the last issue of Melksham News, “We need our hospital to open its A&E again, open the whole hospital up, all three wards.”

Clare Jones added, “Getting as big as Swindon, but with no A&E, not enough school places etc.”

“As someone who moved here for my job 20 years ago,” said Anne Sullivan, “I have to say that the way this area is being developed is appalling. Houses, houses, houses, no amenities, no infrastructure, very poor public transport. 

“I already feel as though I don’t have any access to a GP – you can’t get any appointment at all and I’m talking pre-Covid. It’s a joke.”

Julie Haycock said, “They need to think of the infrastructure – i.e. doctors, schools etc – before building yet more homes in and around Melksham.”

“[I] think they should be looking into bringing more work into Melksham than building houses,” said Wayne Ferrett. “Melksham is getting bigger and [there’s] nothing to show for it.”

Damean Brown said, “It’s shocking, been here 16 years and it’s all houses and no amenities.”

“The town is turning more and more into a little Swindon,” concluded Tom Hardy.

The proposed 2,585 new houses for Melksham are part of Wiltshire Council’s new Local Plan for the period of 2016-2036.

As reported in the Melksham News, Melksham’s housing allocation is nearly the same as the combined total for Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, Calne and Corsham – and only Chippenham, Salisbury and Trowbridge have a higher housing allocation in the whole of the county. 

The plans are currently under consultation and Wiltshire Council is encouraging everyone to have their say before the 9th March deadline.

For information on the Local Plan and consultation, go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-policy-local-plan-review-consultation. The closing date to make a comment on the plans is 9th March.