How Wiltshire responded to the local plan for housing

At this week’s cabinet meeting, members were asked to agree to continue the Local Plan Review process, as well as to assess renewable energy and zero carbon development potential.

The Wiltshire local plan is a document that dictates how many houses are to be built in the county and where they will be built over the next 15 years.

Cabinet member for planning, Nick Botterill said: "The recent Wiltshire Local Plan review consultation attracted more than 3,500 representations from 2,682 people and organisations, which is a fantastic response, and shows just how passionate the people of Wiltshire are about potential development in their area.

"The Local Plan needs to be based on robust evidence to support the delivery of sustainable development across Wiltshire.

"We have listened to the views of Wiltshire's communities and stakeholders, and as a result of the consultation, plus the need to consider the societal changes caused by the pandemic, we are updating the Plan's evidence base to ensure we plan for the right number of homes and other developments until 2036.”

Having already conducted a “pre-consultation” earlier this year, it is predicted that the consultation on the draft local plan will be ready for public scrutiny by 2022.

Richard Clewer, leader of the council said there will be significant further public consultation on the controversial plans.

Cllr Clewer said that as a party they would look to provide the minimum number of houses allocated by government but must also consider the evidence.

TROWBRIDGE

In Trowbridge, it was noted that the allocation fails to recognise Hilperton as a large village and therefore the proposals for housing would not service the needs of the county town.

The report added: “Environmental impact of developing to the north-east of Hilperton would lead to increased risk of flooding, loss of habitats, increased pollution and a denudation of the historic character of Hilperton.

“Proposed location for growth at the town would lead to severe traffic congestion and an exacerbation of wider traffic impacts.

“Considering the environmental constraints at the town associated with the Western Wiltshire Green Belt, critical bat habitats and species, more emphasis should be placed on regenerating brownfield sites within the town before more greenfield land is built upon.”

Responses also said development to meet the needs of the town should be spread around the town and redistributed to other areas such as the nearby Southwick and North Bradley.

The proposed housing numbers for Trowbridge currently sits at 5,830, but once those already built or in the pipeline are taken away it leaves 1,805.

Wiltshire Council said, however, that to deliver for long-term growth of the county town that it was necessary to bump that number up to 2,600.

BRADFORD ON AVON

The proposed housing and locations for Bradford on Avon was met with community objection because of the environmental effects of development and the strain it would put on the historic town’s infrastructure.

Significant opposition was seen to development on the old golf course due to the ecological, traffic and impact on amenities.

The report added that more emphasis needed to be placed on the growth of the town centre and job creation in the area.

In the plans for up to 2036 it is proposed that, after taking away houses already built or in the pipeline, that the historic town should accommodate for an additional 80 houses.

WARMINSTER

Warminster, in contrast to other parts of Wiltshire, broadly accepted the proposed level of development proposed up to 2036.

It was noted that small sites for local builders may help to prevent housing supply issues and that development should focus on the regeneration of brownfield sites.

The report added: “There was a mixed response in relation to the sites, but any new development should provide appropriate infrastructure.”

The consultation document outlining Warminster’s potential growth up to 2036, said: “The Warminster West Urban Extension is the most significant developable commitment at the town. The planning application process has identified a capability to deliver a higher number of homes than was anticipated by the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

“In line with the Wiltshire Core Strategy allocation, the urban extension is to deliver approximately 900 homes prior to 2026.

“A remainder of approximately 650 additional homes is to be delivered up to 2036”

WESTBURY

The new strategy proposes a requirement of 1,820 homes for Westbury but when those houses already built or in development are deducted, it leaves 710 houses to be built by 2036.

Westbury Town Council, according to the report, showed general support for the levels of development proposed but said that tackling congestion on the A350, providing more affordable homes and renewing the town centre should be a focus.

The community, however, called for lower housing numbers, as well as improvements to infrastructure such as schools and doctor’s surgeries.

Land at Redland Lane, which is allocated for development, was said to be an important playing field and losing it without compensation would be “inappropriate”.

The general consensus that there is no need for additional employment land.

MELKSHAM

Melksham, according to the report, rejected the proposed 3,950 houses for the town and that it should receive more growth than other areas.

The report said: “The scale of growth would lead to a coalescence with Bowerhill and Berryfield and could not be supported by local infrastructure.

“Wessex Water suggests the proposed scale of growth requires further investigation to see what water and sewerage infrastructure may be needed.

“Developers suggest that several large sites would be necessary to deliver the proposed scale of growth.

“There was generally a mixed response to the possibility of an A350 bypass – some believed it is urgently needed, others that it will adversely impact the natural environment and was no longer a priority because of changing work patterns.”