Concern as fresh planning application submitted in Holt

RESIDENTS in Holt have voiced their concerns after a new planning application for 98 homes was submitted. 

The residents say that the quality of life for villagers will be affected if an application from Gladman Developments is approved. The proposed development is for 98 homes to be built on land off Melksham Road with the application including an equipped children’s play area, landscaping and open spaces, a drainage pond and suitable access.

Gladman, who recently had an application for 263 new homes in Shurnhold objected by Melksham Town Council, is currently undertaking a public consultation with a letter drop in the local area.

The developers say in their application that they believe, if the application goes ahead, it will have minimal traffic impact.  They also cite in their application that the area is not a flood risk.

However, residents have contacted the Melksham News to voice their concern. A Great Parks resident said, “Their (Gladman Developments) motives are obviously financial and they don’t care about village communities and the quality of life of existing residents.

“The proposed development is outside of the curtilage of Holt and therefore against the proposed Holt Village plan which has been highly consulted with the community.

“Holt has already fulfilled its affordable housing quota with the developments at Station Road and the proposed Glove Factory Development so there is no need. This is obviously a purely commercial venture and not of any benefit to the community of Holt.

“There are the obvious effects of increased traffic that 98 homes will provide, and questions should be asked about the capacity of the village primary school. All the village amenities such as the post office and village shop, are at the opposite end of the village, approximately a mile away. There certainly isn’t employment for the future occupants of 98 houses within Holt.”

The consultation so far by Gladman Developments has seen many object the plans.

Cllr Terry Chivers added, “Gladman  made such a big thing about consultation, with the local community, local residents in both Shurnhold and Holt have almost come back 100 % against both developments. Yet, Gladman have still followed up the consultation with planning applications.

“If Gladman had no intention of listening to the result of the consultation, just what was the point of going out to consultation in the first place and submitting planning applications that the community and town and parish councils are totally against?”

For more information  and to leave your comments, visit Wiltshire Council’s planning website and enter the planning application reference number 14/12109/OUT.