Clackers Brook improvements cause concern for town council

MELKSHAM Town Council has raised concerns about the possible impact habitat improvement works to Clackers Brook could have on a neighbouring green space. 

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is planning to make a number of improvements to the banks of Clackers Brook at various locations along its route between Primrose Nature Area and Lowbourne. 

It has proposed that excess “spoil” collected from the banks of the brook be deposited in two areas near the brook, including an area of grass between Queensway and the Woody play area, 

The “spoil bund” would be almost a metre-high, planted with wildflowers, fruit trees and grass. 

But councillors say that the “spoil bund” will create a physical barrier that blocks the view of the Woody play area, which could cause a “safeguarding issue” for vulnerable children. 

The mayor, cllr Jon Hubbard, has described the proposed “spoil bund” as a “deal breaker” and has described the plans shown to the council last week as “chalk and cheese” when compared to the plans they were shown in November last year. Back then [November 2020] it was going to be minimal or no impact on the town council or surrounding services,” said cllr Hubbard at a town council meeting last week. “Wiltshire Wildlife Trust were just going to ‘clean out the brook’.” 

Questions were also raised by councillors about the lack of consultation with residents impacted by the changes, the impact of having to close the Woody play area whilst the work is carried out, and the inherited maintenance costs of the “spoil bunds” if they were to go ahead. 

Another concern for councillors was the quality of the “spoil” to be used for the bund, which has yet to be tested, and its potential to be overwhelmed by “dormant” weeds. 

“Disturbing the spoil is highly likely to encourage the weed seed bank in the spoil to break dormancy which could result in a flush of weeds,” said a report to councillors. 

Highlighting that the town council has adopted a policy to not use chemical herbicides to remove weeds, cllr Claire Forgacs added that it could be a “nightmare” to get rid of any weeds such as nettles and brambles, without chemical intervention. 

“We want tests on the spoil,” added cllr Hubbard, “we don’t want to inherit some toxic waste on our land.” 

At the meeting it was agreed by councillors to tell Wiltshire Wildlife Trust that they are opposed to the “creation of a barrier” that obstructs the sightline into the Woody play area, and to request a site visit with a representative from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to discuss the plans. 

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust was approached for comment.