Campaigners celebrate withdrawal of ‘predatory’ 150 houses plan

‘Key role’ played by proposed Neighbourhood plan.

THE  news that a “predatory” planning application to build 150 houses on land situated to the south of Woodrow Road has been withdrawn, has been welcomed by residents and local councillors that opposed it.

And Melksham’s emerging Melksham Neighbourhood Plan – which sets out where a community would prefer to see housing built – has been credited by local Wiltshire councillor, Phil Alford, as “the star of the show” in helping to stop the development.

“This planning document has been seven years in the making and it is giving us the power to control local development,” said cllr Alford, who has urged the community to support the plan at its referendum on 1st July.

“This decision is great news but it also highlights the importance of the Neighbourhood Plan and how crucial it is that people go out and vote in favour of it on the 1st of July in the local referendum.

“It insulates us and ensures our councils receive more money from development when it does happen.”

The Woodrow Road application had attracted strong opposition from local residents and both of Melksham’s councils, with concerns raised about the “appalling” proposed pedestrian access to the site; the development’s potential to cause flooding in neighbouring properties; and its potential to exacerbate existing ‘dangerous’ traffic problems.

Local resident Sue Carter, who was also involved in a successful campaign in 2016 against a similar plan to build 152 houses in a field opposite the recent proposal, told Melksham News,  “We are really pleased – mainly because of how dangerous and difficult the traffic problems would have been if the housing had gone ahead. That was most important to us. If another application were to be made for housing in these fields, hopefully the developer will have learned and listened to our concerns.

“And to secure the future of these fields for a few more years was worth fighting for.”

Cllr Alford added, “This application has been contentious since the outset – being outside the development boundary it was always going to be seen as predatory and was cynically put in only when the housing supply dropped. 

“This is exactly the sort of unplanned development that causes anxiety and mistrust and is not welcome, so the fact that the developer has withdrawn the application is certainly good news.” 

The local councillor, who also sits on Melksham Town Council, has also dismissed speculation that the application has been withdrawn so the developer can submit a larger housing application after the route of the A350 bypass around the east of the town has been confirmed.

Instead, cllr Alford urged those in the community worried about the application returning, to support the Neighbourhood Plan, which can be used as a defence against “unplanned development”.

Developers, Pegasus Group, were approached for comment.