Wiltshire Council's local plan moves step closer to approval

The council’s cabinet will be asked to approve that the plan be submitted for independent examination.

The report set to be discussed at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 8, says that, once adopted, it will become one of the council’s “most important strategy documents”.

READ MORE: Hilperton group raise fears over Wiltshire's Local Plan

A protest against the inclusion of Bradford on Avon’s former golf course as a reserve site in the local plan. (Image: Trevor Porter) According to the council, it will protect Wiltshire’s natural and historic environment, preserve and enhance main settlements and villages, deliver economic growth and provide a choice of homes in sustainable locations.

Wiltshire’s local plan has been in development since 2017 and has undergone several rounds of consultation with stakeholders, the most recent being the public consultation on the pre-submission draft which was held in the autumn of 2023.

A total of 10,743 comments were received, along with two petitions in opposition to two development sites, one of 1386 signatures for land north of Downton Road, and one of 1067 handwritten signatures and 1063 electronic signatures for the former golf course reserve site in Bradford on Avon.

An overview of the strategy and the pattern of growth proposed across the county as a whole. (Image: Wiltshire Council) The report which will be presented to the cabinet says that all these comments have been thoroughly reviewed and further work has been carried out accordingly.

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It states: “This has involved updating evidence in respect of flood risk, heritage, transport, housing and biodiversity; preparing a water cycle study; and preparation of statements of common ground with statutory consultees (prescribed bodies and neighbouring authorities) as well as developers of site proposals.”

Wiltshire Council has a consultation statement which summarises the main issues raised through the consultation and the council’s initial response.

This has been designed to clarify how the additional work that has been undertaken responds to the points raised and whether further changes are required.

The inspector who will review the plan can recommend where changes will be needed to address soundness and legal compliance issues.

Wiltshire’s local plan presents the framework for the county’s growth over the next two decades.

Once complete, it will set the blueprint for over 36,000 homes, 160ha of employment land, infrastructure projects and the creation of more than 21,000 jobs by 2038.

If endorsed by Wiltshire Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, October 8, it will go before full council to be approved for independent examination.