Councillor’s masterplan for the future of the town

A MASTERPLAN to improve Melksham is to be put forward to help the town grow and develop.

The aim is to make the best use of the publicly owned sites including the Blue Pool and former library.

It’s the idea of local councillor Phil Alford who wants Wiltshire Council and Melksham Town Council to work together in deciding what to do with vacant buildings once the campus is completed.

The wide-ranging proposal would set up a ‘Place Board’, with representatives from the Town Council, Wiltshire Council and local stakeholders to look at all publicly owned sites across Melksham and see where improvements, change of use or regeneration could take place.

Cllr Alford told Melksham News that he wants to use his capacity as a cabinet member for Wiltshire Council to manage this process and utilise his position to bring as many benefits as possible to the town. He is aiming to bring his plan forward for consideration in the New Year.

“With the construction of Melksham Community Campus continuing to make great progress, it’s essential that we strategically plan for the future of the town, alongside our partners,” said cllr Alford, a Melksham town councillor and Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Assets and Asset Transfer.

“The campus will be a fantastic facility right in the heart of the community, but its existence will leave other valued sites unoccupied. Therefore, we want to work together to develop a vision that benefits the people and businesses of the town and the local area.

“The campus and our plans for Melksham House will hopefully just be the start, and we’re looking forward to working collaboratively and setting out our ambitions.

“This is a golden opportunity for us to work together with Wiltshire Council and reimagine the future shape of the town. Looking at how these assets work and exploring practical opportunities can create a sustainable future and enhance the fabric of the town.”