DEPUTY mayor, cllr Jon Hubbard, has criticised a housing developer who has permission to build 447 homes on land east of Spa Road for not following through with promises made in the early stages of planning.
Cllr Hubbard says that the developers, Hallam Land Management and Bloor Homes, have failed to consult with residents in the area, in particular those living in Farmhouse Court and Saxifrage Close, despite promising to do so.
He also says that other assurances made by the developers have not been honoured, including provision of a safe route to school for Melksham Oak students, the protection of a grade-two listed brick wall in the area by not building homes in close proximity to it, and assurances that three-storey properties would not be erected adjacent to existing properties.
Concern was also raised about the absence of the promised community centre from the ‘reserved matters’ application made by joint applicants Hallam Land Management and Bloor Homes, who received planning permission for the development on land east of Snowberry Lane in 2016.
Speaking at the town council planning meeting earlier this month, cllr Hubbard said, “I’ve got a number of concerns on this in terms of how this development is progressing. First of all, can I say how extremely disappointment I am at the developer who made a number of assurances and promises in the outline planning stage and has upheld none of those reassurances. In particular, with regards to consultation with local residents and discussions with those who live in Saxifrage Close and Farmhouse Court.
“Surrounding Farmhouse Court is a grade-two listed red brick wall. This wall is something that has already experienced a certain amount of damage as a result of all the construction traffic that has previously bounced up and down Snowberry Lane – during the construction of the rest of the east of Melksham. And assurances were given with regards to the distance between the nearest homes and the wall – from the look of this map I don’t believe have been honoured and there is potential for that wall to be at considerable risk. I’d like us to request to ask the planning officer to ask the conservation officer to ensure they are satisfied that the wall is not being put at risk as a result of the proximity of the buildings to the wall.
“I’m also extremely concerned as the developer said that they would construct and provide a community centre – I therefore do not understand why the community centre does not form part of their ‘reserved matters’ application. It is a section 106 obligation upon them.
“I’m also disappointed, as when we spoke with the developers they gave assurances about making sure that there is a walk to school pathway that has been lacking for kids to get to Melksham Oak – but I can’t see one in this application.”
The council agreed to make no objection to the application but still raise their concerns, with the hope that the issues could be resolved before permission is granted.
The site for the development falls within the boundaries of Melksham Without Parish Council who will also discuss the application at their meeting on Monday 2nd July.
To view the application visit the Wiltshire Council Planning website using the reference 18/04644.
