THE Melksham Neighbourhood Plan team are asking for suggestions from the community about what areas of green space in the area should be protected from potential development.
The Neighbourhood Plan team want to hear from anyone in the Melksham and the Melksham Without parishes (Bowerhill, Beanacre, Shaw, Whitley, Sandridge, Berryfield, Woodrow, The Spa and Redstocks) who has a local green space they would like the team to consider protecting.
“The National Planning Policy Framework (v) published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in March 2012 provides communities with a means of protecting green areas as a Local Green Space,” explained Teresa Strange, clerk for Melksham Without Parish Council.
“This will enable communities, in particular circumstances, to protect areas of land that are of value to them. By designating land as Local Green Space, local communities will be able to rule out new development other than in very special circumstances.
“The Local Green Space designation will not be appropriate for most green areas or open space. The designation should only be used:
“Where the green space is in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves
“Where the green area is demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife
“Where the green area concerned is local in character and is not an extensive tract of land”
For more information or to put forward a local green space for consideration, contact Teresa on 01225 705700 or clerk@ melkshamwithout.co.uk
