MELKSHAM Town Council has objected to a planning application to build 263 homes just off the A365 in Shurnhold.
Melksham Town Council considered the application by Gladman Developments at a meeting last week and objected to the plans amid concerns over flooding and the density of the plans. The application will now be considered by Wiltshire Council.
The proposal has caused concern for residents of Shurnhold and those of nearby villages and led to a petition being set up opposing the plans which gathered more than 500 signatures. Some of the concerns highlighted include an increased likelihood of flooding in a vulnerable area, a lack of local school places, a lack of facilities in the town to support this development as well as the others planned, and increased traffic flow on a busy route that connects the town with Bath.
Shaw resident Mark Ashkowski said, “I strongly encourage anybody in the community who objects to the application to do so, either by writing to Wiltshire County Council (quoting reference number 14/11919/OUT) or by commenting on the application on the Council’s website www.planning.wiltshire.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/PLComments.aspx?pk=846700
“Well over 500 people signed the 38 Degrees petition opposing the application and this will be submitted to the council. But it only counts as one objection. It is, therefore, vital that as many separate voices of dissent are registered with Wiltshire County Council as possible if we are to oppose this ill-conceived housing development; a development which I am sure you will agree will only work to the detriment of our community.
“I would hope many will agree the George Ward development is poorly thought out, adding hundreds of homes on a flood plain to an area with limited local facilities, such as no local GP, an over-subscribed local school at Shaw, a main road (A365) which frequently floods and no effective secondary route into Melksham.
“To add a further housing development, opposite the George Ward site, to an already over-stretched area would be grossly irresponsible. It would profoundly change the nature and character of the area. It would worsen congestion and flooding on the A365. It would place yet further, possibly fatal, strain on local facilities.”
Melksham Without Parish Council will also be making comments on the Gladman Developments’ planning application at a meeting on Monday 26th January at the United Church at 7pm. However, as the site is outside of their boundary, they can only comment on how the plans will affect Shaw and Whitley.
