Community turns out in force to defend Neighbourhood Plan

A strong community turnout at a planning inquiry saw local democracy in action, with 20 people speaking against a proposed 300-home development in east of Melksham and defending the Neighbourhood Plan.

Local councillors, community representatives and residents attended the appeal hearing into plans for 300 homes on land between Snarlton Farm and Oakfield Stadium. Speakers argued the development would undermine the recently adopted Neighbourhood Plan and set a damaging precedent for future decision-making.

The application for the new homes was rejected by Wiltshire Council in August last year, just one day after the Joint Melksham Neighbourhood Plan 2 was formally adopted following a referendum. The site is not included in the plan’s housing allocations, which exceed the required number of homes for the area; or in the Wiltshire Council draft Local Plan.

The four-day inquiry began on Tuesday 20th January in Trowbridge and is examining an appeal by Catesby Estates after the council refused planning permission. A government appointed Planning Inspector will make the final decision.

Several speakers warned that allowing the appeal would undermine confidence in neighbourhood planning both locally and nationally.

Concerns were also raised about the site’s location out-side the settlement boundary, flood risk, landscape impact, traffic implications and reliance on car travel. Speakers warned that approving the scheme could set a precedent for further speculative development on unallocated land in Melksham and beyond.

The appellant, Catesby Estates, argued the development should be allowed due to a “vast shortfall” against the requirement for Wiltshire Council to demonstrate a minimum of five years’ worth of housing.

They described the housing land supply across Wiltshire as “appalling”, arguing there is a “chronic shortage of both market and affordable homes”. It said the housing shortfall activates national policy that favours sustainable development, meaning the benefits of the scheme could outweigh any conflict with the local plan.

Following the meeting, Cllr David Pafford, Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and Vice Chair of Melksham Without Parish Council said, “A big thank you to all the community members who gave up their time to attend the inquiry to defend the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan 2, and its plan-led approach to housing development. Twenty people spoke and were questioned by the barrister for some time, a real commitment.”

It is understood the outcome of the appeal could influence how future speculative housing proposals are treated in Melksham and the wider area.

A decision from the Planning Inspector is expected by early March.