THE chairman of the Trust for Devizes has hit out at the “broken planning system” and the duplicity of the Government in his last message before he stands down.

Ted East, vacates the post at the AGM on March 20. He blames Government delays and the greed of housing speculators for the fact that Devizes is likely to have nearly another 600 homes along the already congested London Road corridor in the near future.

In the latest issue of Trust News, Mr East writes: “For over two decades, Devizes has had housing developments which have not been planned, but have been imposed on us by developers who have not been interested in the needs of the community.

“Speculators have deep pockets and employ the best legal advisers to win appeals.”

The Wiltshire Core Strategy, which does not foresee any more housing development along London Road, has been many months in preparation and has still not been approved as planning guidance.

In the meantime, developer Mactaggart and Mickel has applied for planning permission for 350 homes at Coate Bridge and The Crown Estate for 230 at Lay Wood. The Lay Wood proposal was passed by Wiltshire Council earlier this month.

Mr East said: “Wiltshire Council felt forced to accept one proposal, Lay Wood, along the Horton Road, for fear of having a large bill for developer costs. The other proposal, Coate Bridge, will be the subject of an appeal. We await the outcome with interest and concern.”