Council chief hints at extra consultation following housing plan fears (From This Is Wiltshire)

Council chief hints at extra consultation following housing plan fears

5:58pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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An extra consultation could be held by Wiltshire Council over a document detailing where new houses will be built in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council chief Jane Scott has hinted at an extra consultation in Chippenham on the draft Wiltshire Core Strategy, following concerns over plans to build 5,500 more homes in the town.

Two community groups have joined forces to oppose the draft core strategy, and are now called The Friends of Bird Marsh and Hardens Mead Residents Association.

Wiltshire Council’s preferred options include 2,650 homes on land to the east of Chippenham; up to 180 homes at Middlefield Training Centre and Westinghouse Sports Ground in the town centre and 800 homes to the north east of the town.

Campaigners say the proposed development will increase Chippenham’s population by almost 50 per cent, and cause it to become a dormitory town for Swindon, Bristol and London.

Cllr Scott said the council's cabinet has not discussed the number of homes or proposed locations and are carrying out the consultation in response to government guidelines.

She said: "It is very important that anybody who has any concerns about proposals in this document (the draft core strategy)should comment and provide evidence in support or opposition to the proposals.

"While we are still processing responses to the consultation, early indications suggest an additional consultation will need to be undertaken in the Chippenham area, prior to the publication of the draft core strategy and the final draft going to the Examination in Public.

"If the council does not follow the guidance from Government, the inspector can dismiss the proposals.

This would leave a development guidance vacuum with the risk of sites being chosen by developers, rather than Wiltshire Council, thereby ignoring the views of local people to the detriment of Chippenham in the longer term."