THE Planning Inspector looking into the soundness of Wiltshire Council’s development strategy document for Chippenham has warned of government intervention if it’s not complete by the end of the year.

But Inspector Patrick Whitehead said he was going to do his best to help the council to have a plan in place by the end of 2016 during Thursday’s (Jan 22) public meeting.

The Inspector met with Wiltshire Council officers to discuss the work they were completing during the suspension of the Chippenham Site Allocation Plan.

“It’s a timely reminder we should be getting on with this,” he said.

“Not having a local plan in production by 2016 is not a good situation to be in but I am going to do my best to make sure Wiltshire Council has a plan in place by the end of 2016.

“It’s important to stress I have not found the submitted plan unsound, I have not reached any conclusions on soundness.”

After explaining the reasons behind his decision to suspend hearings into the soundness of the Plan after just two days, Mr Whitehead shared his concerns with eight other parts of the plan, including flooding.

He said: “I think there’s been a change in perception in the risk of flooding, I did notice there was flooding in the recent heavy rains.

“It seems this is an opportunity for the council to look again at the flood risk association and the questions whether site areas are likely to be safe if development takes place there. I think this is an important consideration.”

The council updated the inspector on the “inundation” of applications which have been submitted in the town and the work they’ve completed with the Planning Advisory Service.

Planning Officer Carolyn Gibson said: “At the moment we are working to timetable but I think we have already recognised it’s a very complex and demanding programme and as more people come involved there’s likely to be more slippage.”

The council will submit a further written update to the Inspector in March with the hearings into the plan expected to resume in September.

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Councillor Toby Sturgis, said: “I think it was excellent to have a meeting and for everyone to know what’s going to happen.

“It’s open and transparent and I welcome the opportunity to update the inspector and assisting him to carry out his duties.”