Several hundred local people attended the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan Open House event to comment on a draft Vision Statement covering the future development of Melksham and its surrounding villages in Melksham Without.
The display stands at the event attracted a lot of interest and generated plenty of discussion and questions. People were invited to use post-it notes to share their views on the many issues described on the display boards.
Key issues for comment included:
· The need to complete infrastructure, community and health facilities to meet the needs of the present population before too many more houses are built.
· The need to complete the Melksham campus.
· The need to create more jobs in the area for local people.
· The need for improvements in local health facilities and more GPs.
· The need for better community and recreational facilities.
· The need to improve the local retail experience.
· The need to improve the road network, including a Melksham bypass.
· The need for enabling development to support building the canal.
· The need to improve both train and local bus services.
· The need for more stringent design criteria for local housing estates.
Organisers were very pleased with the turnout, and plan to host other Open House events in the Bowerhill and Shaw areas as soon as they can be arranged. Details will be published in future issues and results from the post-it notes and feedback forms are being recorded and analysed for reporting to the next meeting of the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group meeting on Wednesday 27th July.
The Neighbourhood Plan’s Health and Wellbeing Task Group will be meeting to consider the comments and next steps at Melksham Town Hall on Wednesday 20th July, starting at 2pm.
For more information and to view the Vision Statement, please go to www.melkshamneighbour hoodplan.org.
