A planning application for up to 650 new houses in Melksham East has received objections by parish and town councillors. The plans have also received considerable public opposition.
At the Melksham Without Parish Council meetings on 17th April, councillors raised a number of objections including concerns about the proposed access to the development, flooding risks and that the proposed development is in open countryside and therefore outside the settlement boundary of Melksham and Bowerhill.
Melksham Without Parish cllr David Pafford said, “The proposal is to build a village effectively the size of Berryfield in the open countryside which is, in any way you look at planning, an absolute nonsense. It disregards most of the principals of the Neighbourhood Plan. I’m very much opposed to it. The principle is wrong and should be opposed.”
The application was also discussed at a town council meeting on Monday 24th April given the proximity of the site to the town’s boundary.
Town councillors agreed to strongly object to the application. Cllr Graham Ellis said, “We support the input from Melksham Without Parish Council and fully endorse what they are saying.”
There have also been over 100 written objections received to the planning portal by members of the public.
The application is due to be called in by Cllr Nick Holder so will be discussed by members of the Wiltshire Council’s planning committee, rather than being considered by a council case officer.
