RICHBOROUGH Estates has appealed Wiltshire Council’s decision to refuse their proposal to build 75 homes in Semington.
The decision to refuse the application was made in October last year but in February, the developers entered an appeal against the decision, which should be granted because Wiltshire Council’s planning policies are not up to date.
The application was met with strong objection from local residents who say the development would severly affect the dynamic of the village.
Wiltshire Council gave the go-ahead for 24 houses to built in St George’s Road in November which residents welcomed, but they see no reason to expand the village any further.
One resident wrote, “The development will increase the size of the village by 19%, which is totally unwarranted.
“As the village has few facilities, no village shop, only a part-time post office and village pub, the new residents will have to drive to the nearby towns for their everyday needs. With Pound Lane as the only access, considerable problems will result. This lane is far too narrow for the volume of traffic that will be generated by the extra 75 houses.
“At school times the lane is frequently blocked by cars, with children walking in the road. Frequently, larger vehicles already have to drive over the grass verge by the school to get through.”
The consultation period will run until 31st March and a decision is expected on Friday 5th May. To view the application, visit Wiltshire Council’s planning website and enter the planning application reference number 17/01053/OUT
