A PETITION has been signed by hundreds of local residents who have concerns about new homes being planned opposite the old George Ward School site.
Over 400 people have signed the online petition against the proposed Gladman Developments proposals which will include 275 residential dwellings.
This means that, including the Gladman Developments site, Melksham has over 1,400 additional homes proposed, with 450 new homes planned for land to the east of Spa Road, 170 new homes in Berryfields, 255 new homes in Bowerhill plus around 270 homes planned for the George Ward site itself.
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 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.”
Another local resident Michael Booth added, “I live in Shaw Hill so won’t have this in my ‘back yard’ as such but it is too close for comfort and we will feel the knock-on effects of the increased traffic on the A365. 500 extra homes in the area means hundreds of extra children, I don’t think Shaw school will cope with that!! Also, where next? We’ve seen huge development to the East of Melksham with no real thought to the effect it has on the countryside.
“We moved here two years ago to be in a village with a good school and good transport links, not a gridlocked suburb of Melksham!”
To view or sign the petition visit www.you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/no-to-275-new-homes-being-built-on-farmland-at-shurnhold-melksham-wiltshire
