Residents raise concerns over mud and dust from ongoing housing development

Residents living near a housing development behind Townsend Farm have raised concerns about the cleanliness of the streets, citing issues with dust and mud from ongoing construction work. 

The development, which is currently underway on land west of Semington Road behind Townsend Farm, is set to include 50 new homes. However, residents and Melksham Without Parish Council have expressed frustration that the surrounding roads, particularly Berryfield Park and Berryfield Lane, are being affected by dirt and debris from the construction site. 

“We have had issues with that development since it began last summer,” explained clerk of Melksham Without Parish Council Teresa Strange. “There is no road sweeping or road clearing, so there’s masses of mud everywhere on all the residential roads near the development. It makes it muddy and horrible for everyone that is there.”  

The parish council says it is ‘at the end of its tether’ after raising the issue with the developer, Living Spaces, and Wiltshire Council, urging the builders to carry out regular road sweeping at the end of each day. 

Teresa Strange emphasised that this maintenance is crucial as it is part of the approved construction management plan, which specifies that “all drivers of vehicles leaving the site should ensure that their wheels are cleaned prior to entering highway land, and any debris or mud carried onto the highway should be cleared immediately, with suction sweepers used as required.” 

Another issue raised by the community is the risk of flooding in the area, with drains becoming blocked due to the accumulation of mud on the roads. 

“The water in the drains doesn’t drain away properly because they’re full of mud and muck. People are then tracking it into their homes, and it’s causing problems as it spreads onto the A350 roundabout, raising concerns about safety,” Teresa explained. 

The development, managed by Terra Strategic, was approved in 2021, though it was met with considerable opposition from the local community. 

Wiltshire Council’s corporate director for place Parvis Khansari said, “Construction works taking place on land to the west of Semington Road are required to be carried out in accordance with the approved Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). 

“As part of the CEMP, road sweeping and other measures are specified to prevent mud and debris being transferred onto public roads. The site management team is required to implement wheel washing measures, which include the use of water bowsers with jet wash and brushes positioned within 20 metres of the construction access. Once the road network is constructed to a tarmac base, road sweepers will be used when necessary. A jet wash will also remain on-site for additional cleaning. 

“Concerns regarding alleged failures in carrying out these measures should be directed to our planning enforcement team at enforcement@wiltshire.gov.uk, who will assess any potential breaches of the plan and take appropriate action.” 

Living Spaces has been approached for comment but has not responded.