PEOPLE in Chippenham are hoping a revised plan that sets out how many houses are to be built around the town in future will meet with Government approval, after it is released tomorrow.

Councillors and residents believe a number of issues need to be addressed in the Chippenham Site Allocation (CSA) Plan – but the document is under wraps.

Many people were dismayed when they could not have their say on the plan, after a major planning inquiry into it was suspended for six months last November by a planning inspector who criticised evidence presented by Wiltshire Council.

The revised document, which will set out how many houses should be built within and around the town, is due to be released tomorrow before it is discussed at a full council meeting on May 10.

Cabinet member for strategic planning and housing Coun Toby Sturgis said: “There’s been the subsequent meeting with the inspector and we’ve agreed how we should present the new evidence and the form he would like it in and that’s all been done.

“I haven’t seen the final paper yet but I plan to see it this afternoon (Thursday).

“The changes take into account some of the things that he wanted and the new evidence will show what other changes are needed but I don’t think it’s going to be a major change.

“He hasn’t found the plans unsatisfactory, he just didn’t have enough evidence.”

The three areas at the centre of the CSA Plan include developments at Rawlings Green and to the south west and east of Chippenham.

Bremhill parish councillor Ian James said: “We’re not against development, we just think there are better sites to build on than the east of Chippenham.

“There are safer places to build downstream as otherwise this could put Chippenham at risk of flooding in the future.

“All of us are extremely interested in what the council is proposing and maybe we’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

News that the plan is ready to go again has prompted concerns over payment for a proposed Eastern Link Road (ELR) as part of any development on that side of the town, which is estimated to cost almost £9million.

“The problem is the council have always said that the developer would pay for the ELR and that the community infrastructure levy money could be used by the council for other services and infrastructure,” said Councillor Chris Caswell, a member of Campaign Against Urban Sprawl to the East (CAUSE).

“It came as a surprise (that the council will pay for it) because it’s never been discussed.

“I’m not in favour of the eastern development so therefore I’m not in favour of the ELR.

“I don’t see the positives or the need for an ELR because I think it would destroy the Avon Valley.”