OPPOSITION is mounting against the proposal to build 150 houses on land situated to the south of Woodrow Road
Local residents, Melksham Town Council and Wiltshire councillors have all objected to the plans, raising concerns 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.
However, there is hope that the plans could be refused if Melksham’s Neighbourhood Plan – which sets out a vision for where development should take place in the area – gathers “enough weight” in the planning system.
Local resident Sue Carter, who was involved in a successful campaign in 2016 against a similar plan to build 152 houses in a field opposite the new proposal, told Melksham News, “It is unsuitable because of constant flooding, even with an attenuation pond, development will lead to additional run off compounding the problem.”
Wiltshire councillor Phil Alford, who represents Melksham Without North and has been working with residents to fight the plans, added, “It may come as no surprise that I will be fighting this application tooth and nail, four years ago we fought another attempt in the field opposite and many of the issues haven’t changed.
“The access is appalling, pedestrians will need to cross an unclassified road, on a known speeding point and blind corner to get into the development.
“The field has flooding problems and the existing drainage is already struggling to cope. It also has pylons running through the middle of it and is a key aspect for Melksham within the landscape. It is one of the few places you can see both Sandridge Hill and Bowden Hill.
“I have already called the application in to be considered by the strategic planning committee. By the time the application has been reviewed by an officer, an S106 agreement has been negotiated, the plans have been amended, an election has occurred and a new committee is put in place we might not have a decision on this for four months at the soonest.
“In the meantime the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan should have gathered enough weight in the planning system for the application to be refused and if an appeal is lodged, the plan will almost certainly be in place before the inspector makes a decision.
“Suffice to say I will be doing everything to make sure that I can get the timing right to have this application refused but I am quietly hopeful.”
The deadline for comments on the plans is Tuesday 20th April.
To view the plans for the housing development on land off Woodrow Road, and to comment, search with the reference 21/01629/OUT on the Wiltshire Council planning website.
