Opposition grows to housing plan

OPPOSITION to a proposal to build a new housing estate on land situated to the south of Woodrow Road, continues to grow across the town.

Residents, both Melksham’s councils, and local Wiltshire councillors have raised strong objections to the plan for 150 new homes, with some describing the development as “completely predatory and speculative.”

Impact on local traffic, the loss of valuable ecological and environmental green space, flooding risks, and insufficient facilities – including GPs, school places and leisure – in the town to support the population, are some of the reasons that have been given for the development to not go ahead.

It’s part of growing opposition to the number of new houses that are being built locally.

One Savernake Avenue resident, whose property backs on to the proposed housing site, told Melksham News, “Traffic issues, flood risk (flood zones 2 and 3 indicated by developer themselves!), electro smog from pylons – surely there are better places to build houses on. And this green belt towards Lacock, a National Trust treasure, should be preserved for its rural character and beauty, for recreational purposes benefiting the whole community (National Cycle Route, equestrian use, walking), for the environment and wildlife thriving in that proximity to the beautiful natural stretch of the River Avon.”

Melksham Without Parish councillors described the proposal as “coming forward too soon”, raising concerns about an already stretched infrastructure, with not enough GPs and school places available – councillors used Melksham Oak secondary school  as an example, explaining that it is already “at capacity”. 

The parish council also said that the development is “outside the settlement boundary” and highlighted the potential impact it could have on traffic in the area. “It’s just too much in the wrong place,” said cllr David Pafford.

Clerk to the parish council, Teresa Strange, also highlighted that now is the time for the council to talk to the developers about the financial contributions they could make towards community infrastructure if the development goes ahead. “Once a planning application is made, it’s too late,” she explained.

At their economic development and planning meeting this week, the town council echoed the concerns of the parish council and supported the plan to “maximise community contributions’ from the developer, before they make a planning application.

With pressure from government to approve new housing unless there is an “extraordinarily good reason” not to, cllr Jon Hubbard explained that the council needed to accept that this development will most likely go ahead, “whether they like it or not.”

Leader of the town council, cllr Vanessa Fiorelli added, “150 [homes] is just the beginning. We know this development has to happen – but we need to ensure that the parish and town councils and residents can get the most community benefit out of it.” 

Funds to “enhance” the existing Forest Community Centre, and contributions to help build new healthcare provision – especially dental care – were highlighted as possible ways the developers could help the town.

A public online meeting for residents in the area of the proposed development, organised by local Wiltshire councillor, Phil Alford, also raised concerns about the current public consultation being conducted by Pegasus Group.

“What is clear is that no one is happy about the public consultation conducted by Pegasus,” said cllr Alford. “A few leaflets were distributed to a few houses opposite, but none went to Savernake Avenue or along other affected parts of Woodrow Road. 

“It comes across as if this was really just a token gesture and not a serious engagement. We are now producing more leaflets with details of the development and are getting them distributed, so people can respond to this consultation.”

The public consultation on the proposal for 150 homes off Woodrow Road is open until Friday 2nd October, after which the developers, Pegasus Group, will submit a planning application to Wiltshire Council.

However, when the planning application is made, Wiltshire councillor Phil Alford is hoping to “delay” it to allow time for a reason for refusal  to be found.

Cllr Alford told Melksham News, “Should this come forward I will be calling it in for discussion by the strategic planning committee. I’m hopeful that it can be delayed long enough for the 5 year land supply to be filled or for the emerging Neighbourhood Plan to have gathered enough weight in the planning system for it to be cited as a policy for refusal.”

As reported in the Melksham News last year, Melksham has already surpassed its housing target of 2,240 new homes as part of Wiltshire Council’s ‘local plan’ for 2006-2026.

However, a  new housing requirement for Melksham is expected to be revealed this year as part of a Wiltshire Council’s review, which will take the plan up to 2036.

For more information about the proposed housing development on land to the south of Woodrow Road, and for details about how to take part in the public consultation, visit the website: www.woodrowroadmelksham.co.uk