BEANACRE villagers say they are “very worried” about the potentially “devastating and destructive effect” that a new proposed development of 170 houses could have on the village.
Villagers have raised a number of concerns about the proposed development – which is situated on two agricultural fields to the north of Leekes, bordered by Beanacre Road (A350) and Dunch Lane.
The removal of the natural boundary between the village and Melksham, its impact on local wildlife, the possible impact on heritage buildings in the village, the site’s lack of connectivity to local amenities, and the impact on A350 traffic and air quality, were all concerns raised by villagers at a recent town council meeting.
The fields earmarked for the development were also described by villagers as “very important” for drainage in the area, as the fields are often waterlogged.
About the proposal, one Beanacre resident said, “It would have an absolutely devastating and destructive effect on Beanacre.”
And another resident stressed that the boundary between the village and the town must be maintained. “Beanacre must not be merged with Melksham,” they said whilst criticising the developer for describing a proposed woodland “buffer” between the two settlements as “sufficient”.
At the meeting, town councillors pledged their support to the villagers, with one councillor describing the plans as “horrendous looking”.
“It’s a case of this council getting behind the residents and representing those concerns,” said cllr Mike Sankey before highlighting that the land in question has already been classed as “unsuitable for development” by Melksham’s emerging Neighbourhood Plan.
At the meeting, councillors agreed to respond to the public consultation about the plans echoing the concerns of Beanacre residents, adding that they are also concerned about the lack of health services and “sustainable” education facilities to support the development.
Councillors also said that if the development were to go ahead, houses should only be built within the boundary of the town – the current plans are almost cut in half by the boundary between Beanacre and Melksham.
Wiltshire councillor, Phil Alford, also shared his thoughts about the development at the meeting, stating that he is “completely against it” and that he feels a “merger” of Beanacre and Melksham is “not acceptable”.
Cllr Alford echoed concerns about the site’s connectivity with local facilities, especially primary schools, describing the site as being in a “inappropriate location”.
The consultation on the plans ended this week – developers are expected to submit a formal planning application to Wiltshire Council in the near future.
