At the recent Trowbridge Area Board, we were presented with a written report from the Wiltshire Council spatial planners regarding the preliminary findings of the Planning Inspector of the Core Strategy. Amazingly nearly 25 per cent of the report referred to housing in Chippenham. What relevance has that to the Trowbridge area?

That said, the revised housing figures being bandied about by Wiltshire Council planners should set alarm bells ringing in the villages around Trowbridge, but doesn’t seem to have done so.

The Inspector examining the 2026 Local Plan commented, amongst other things, that the number of houses allowed for during the life of the plan should be increased. However, rather than reverting to a higher figure which the WC Cabinet (I believe) kicked out, and which would have broadly satisfied the Inspector, the spatial planners have come up with a scheme which, to me, beggars belief.

Without going into too much detail the broad gist is that the Trowbridge area (ie the surrounding villages) is targeted for a higher number of extra houses than the whole of south and east Wiltshire combined are expected to take. It would seem that Trowbridge could well be the new Swindon if this farce is allowed to progress.

I understand that Trowbridge Town Council doesn’t see a problem with the increased numbers – but then, of course, the houses will be built in the surrounding parishes.

Ernie Clark, Wiltshire Councillor for Hilperton Division, Independent Group leader, Wiltshire Council, Stonelea, Hilperton, Trowbridge.