Melksham residents to vote on town’s future in Neighbourhood Plan referendum

Melksham residents will soon be able to vote on the future of their town and surrounding villages, as the updated Joint Melksham Neighbourhood Plan (JMNP2) goes to a public referendum on Thursday 31st July. 

The Neighbourhood Plan is a key planning document that gives local communities a direct say in shaping how their area develops. It covers everything from housing, green space and infrastructure, to supporting businesses and protecting historic buildings – and if approved in the referendum, it will carry legal weight when deciding future planning applications in the area.

The plan, developed by Melksham Town Council and Melksham Without Parish Council, has now passed its independent examination, a major milestone that clears the way for it to be formally adopted – but only if approved by the community.

“This is your plan, built on your feedback,” said representatives from the town and parish councils. “It’s an important chance to have your say in shaping Melksham’s future.”

JMNP2 sets out a vision for the Melksham area up to 2038, and builds on the original plan adopted in 2021 and has been shaped by extensive consultation with residents, businesses and community groups over the last two years.

Key priorities in the new plan include:

• Redevelopment of the Cooper Tires site and the old library building

• Support for town centre businesses

• Delivery of more affordable housing, including bungalows

• Protection of local green spaces and countryside

• Action on climate change and flood risk

Independent examiner Andrew Ashcroft praised the updated plan saying, “The plan is an excellent example of a neighbourhood plan review. It seeks to bring the plan up to date. It includes a variety of policies and identifies positive and sustainable development”.

The plan features 21 local policies designed specifically for Melksham town and the surrounding rural areas. These include:

• Protection for 49 local green spaces

• Safeguards to prevent villages merging with the town

• A new ‘local list’ to protect historic buildings

• Brownfield-first development policies

• Support for smaller, affordable homes

• Stronger controls against speculative development

Referendum – your vote counts

If approved in the 31st July referendum, JMNP2 will replace the first edition and carry full legal weight alongside Wiltshire Council’s Local Plan. This means it will help determine what gets built and where for years to come.

“In total, your Neighbourhood Plan sets out 21 bespoke local policies on design quality, sustainability, affordable housing, green space provision, and infrastructure contributions for Melksham town and the surrounding rural areas,” said representatives from the town and parish councils. “They are evidence backed, tested through independent examination, and shown to be a positive way to directly shape the future of our town, villages and countryside.

“Having successfully navigated the independent examination, Plan 2 is now proceeding to a local referendum on Thursday 31st July.  Only upon a successful referendum will the plan be officially adopted, superseding the first edition and providing an updated clear framework, with the same legal status as the Wiltshire Local Plan, for future development in the area.”

Polling day is on Thursday 31st July, and residents eligible to vote will receive poll cards through the post with full details of where and when to vote.

The full plan and referendum details are available to view online at www.melkshamneighbourhoodplan.org, with hard copies at Melksham Town Hall, the Community Campus, and Sprockets Café in Whitley.

Anyone unable to access the documents can call 01225 704187 (town council) or 01225 705700 (parish council) for help.