The public are being urged to have their say on a proposed development of a further 300 houses at land south of Snarlton Farm in Melksham East. This is in addition to the planning application submitted recently for 650 new houses close by, at land south of Blackmore Farm.
A public exhibition is being held by Catesbury Estates on Wednesday 10th May at Melksham Community Campus where the community are being invited to view the proposals. There will be two sessions running; from 1.00pm-3.00pm and 4.00pm-6.30pm.
Feedback must be received by Sunday 21st May and can be submitted via Catesbury Estate’s website – www.catesby-snarltonfarm.co.uk or via email – info@catesbury estates.co.uk.
In a statement about the proposed development, cllr Richard Wood, chair of Melksham Without Parish Council’s planning committee said, “We are all really disappointed to see these proposals coming through at this late stage, just before the publication of the local draft plans.
“This proposal, and the planning application for the 650 houses at neighbouring Blackmore Farm, are jumping the gun, ahead of the strategic plans for the area. The proposals do not answer the strategic needs of the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan area and in fact, distinctly hinder any future strategic plans for Melksham in terms of master planning via either the Neighbourhood Plan, or the wider Wiltshire Local Plan.
“This is speculative and not a plan-led development, it’s coming through piecemeal and not in conjunction with proposals for the planning application for the adjacent land at Blackmore Farm. This gives an uncoordinated, disjointed approach, without the means to properly address the infrastructure needs that the impact this number of houses to the area will bring. The use of strategic planning is the only way to build proper communities, with the facilities they deserve.”