Residents' relief as new flats plan is turned down by councillors (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Residents' relief as new flats plan is turned down by councillors

RESIDENTS in Rope Yard, Wootton Bassett, have celebrated after planning permission was refused for eight new buildings on land near the church hall.

The unanimous decision was taken at the development control committee of the North Wiltshire District Council last Wednesday.

Land Locked Ltd had proposed to build eight flats in three two-storey buildings on rough grassland to the rear of the hall.

Wootton Bassett Town Council's planning committee strongly objected to the application last month considering it to be over development, out of character with the historic conservation area and likely to cause traffic problems.

In addition North Wiltshire District Council received 133 copies of an objection letter signed by residents and a further 25 letters of objection. Concerns included lack of parking, a loss of view and property value, and the speed with which existing traffic travels along Rope Yard.

But in a report officers said the application was considered appropriate and in line with planning criteria and should therefore be granted permission.

During the meeting residents again voiced their concerns. They said they feared increased traffic, noise and pollution.

Speaking after the meeting Wootton Bassett mayor Chris Wannell, who also sits on the development control committee for North Wiltshire District Council, said: "I'm very pleased and relieved at the decision.

"I know Government guidelines favour these applications but we have to look at it in a common sense approach. To keep allowing these developments without taking into account the commonly felt effect on the community is worrying and it will destroy our town.

"There have been 23 applications in the area in the last couple of years and the infra-structure can't take that and so we have to make a stand."