MELKSHAM Neighbourhood Plan volunteers will be visiting Bowerhill and Shaw over the next week to get villagers’ views on the future of the area.
The group will hold exhibitions in Shaw on Saturday and Bowerhill on Tuesday to discuss planning issues with local people.
The neighbourhood plan is a document being drawn up by volunteers which aims to control how the Melksham area will be developed and changed over the next ten years.
Volunteer Nick Westbrook said, “We urge everyone to come along; it’s important that people get to have their say on the future of where they live.
“The plan is starting to come together now and we’ll be looking to complete it sooner rather than later. Melksham already has more houses planned than was the target for 2026.
“We accept that we’ll need to take more housing and it’s no good having a NIMBY approach; we need to be proactive.
“The neighbourhood plan is about controlling the housing development and making sure we get the health facilities, infrastructure and employment to go with it.
“It’s very helpful for us to have people’s comments and feedback. Often we hear people say they don’t feel like they are listened to; the plan will be a statutory document that politicians, planners and developers will have to take notice of. This is your chance to have your say.”
The open house events will take place at Shaw School from 10am to 12pm on Saturday 5th November, and at Bowerhill Village Hall from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday 8th November.
There will be displays of information about the plan and the future of the Melksham area, and opportunities for people to leave feedback. Members of the neighbourhood plan team will also be on hand to answer questions.
Some of the major issues to be broached in the plan include new housing, health facilities, a Melksham bypass, employment, community and education facilities, and the Wilts & Berks Canal redevelopment.
Find out more about the work of the neighbourhood plan group online at www.melkshamneighbourhoodplan.org
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