Controversial plans for a £6 million sports hub in Wootton Bassett have been put on hold after councillors voted to defer the application.
At a meeting of North Wiltshire District Council's development control committee tonight councillors decided that the plans should be halted while peoples' concerns are looked at.
Four separate planning applications were put on hold because it was agreed that one could not go ahead with out the others being agreed to.
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The project would involve replacing the seven-acre, centrally-situated Gerard Buxton sports ground, which dates from the Thirties, with a state-of-the-art 26-acre complex on the northern edge of town.
To finance the new hub, the Wootton Bassett Sports Association wants to sell its historical ground at Rylands Way to Persimmon Homes, who plan to build 168 houses there.
Part of the scheme also involves providing a new ground for Wootton Bassett Rugby Club, which is currently near the Gerard Buxton facility at Stoneover Lane.
Finally an outline application was also submitted with plans for another 100 homes at the rugby club site in Stoneover Lane.
The plans have divided the town from the beginning and now they will be considered carefully by planning officers before facing development control again.
The main concerns raised were from those living near the proposed Persimmon development, because of access and over crowding issues.
Coun Sylvia Doubell said: "We really cannot make a decision that is based on firm knowledge. The information just is not here for us quite honestly.
"We are here to make a fair decision and we can't."
Councillors asked to know how many homes would be three storeys and the effect the development would have on the roads and neighboring homes.
Many also agreed that they were concerned about access to the new sports hub from the already busy B4042.
Coun Ross Henning said: "How are people going to get to the site from the town centre when it is out of town?
"Will there be a cycle route? Will the road be calmed?"
Coun Mollie Groom even asked the committee to consider a footbridge to provide safe access over the road for children.
Issues to do with flood lighting, drainage and traffic were also put to the planning officers, who will now go away and try to find the answers.
Coun Anthony Trotman first suggested a deferral of the plans saying: "Without the homes the sporting facility cannot happen. Although all the applications are separate one can't be considered without the other. Officers need to come back to us with proper answers."
Didn't the councilors have since whenever the documents were supplied to check out all the details they are stalling over?
I do genuinely feel sympathy to those living in the surrounding area of the current Gerard Buxton Ground if the proposals get the green light, but this town is dying for modern, state of the art sport facilities. Along with the recent new school buildings, this is - in my opinion - an exciting project for Wootton Bassett itself, as well as for the Sports Association and Rugby Club. There will be more chances for these clubs to progress, as well as more chances for locals to play sport as there will be more space for these people to be accomodated within the clubs.
It is on the outskirts of town, BUT there is simply no other option for the size of the project. Plus the majority of those in the football and rugby clubs combined already have to travel out to Ballards Ash to play their respective sports.
Didn't the councilors have since whenever the documents were supplied to check out all the details they are stalling over?
I do genuinely feel sympathy to those living in the surrounding area of the current Gerard Buxton Ground if the proposals get the green light, but this town is dying for modern, state of the art sport facilities. Along with the recent new school buildings, this is - in my opinion - an exciting project for Wootton Bassett itself, as well as for the Sports Association and Rugby Club. There will be more chances for these clubs to progress, as well as more chances for locals to play sport as there will be more space for these people to be accomodated within the clubs.
It is on the outskirts of town, BUT there is simply no other option for the size of the project. Plus the majority of those in the football and rugby clubs combined already have to travel out to Ballards Ash to play their respective sports.
Glad to see that the decision regarding Rylands Way (Gerald Buxton) has been deferred. As a local resident with a home that backs onto the proposed development and on the junction at Rylands Way, my main concern is the number of properties and the volume of traffic that so many houses will engender.The number of houses from the original plans has already increased,where will it stop? I am not a "NIMBY", and recognise that there is a great need for homes, especially affordable dwellings. However, homes, hopefully, mean children, and children need green spaces - not sports grounds that need mum's and dad's taxies to get to! This is surely a question of balance. The density of the present plans affords little in the way of play areas, from what I could see. So, fewer houses, more space - surely a satisfactory compromise. This would leave Persimmon with a smaller profit however, which I suspect is the real sticking point.
Glad to see that the decision regarding Rylands Way (Gerald Buxton) has been deferred. As a local resident with a home that backs onto the proposed development and on the junction at Rylands Way, my main concern is the number of properties and the volume of traffic that so many houses will engender.The number of houses from the original plans has already increased,where will it stop? I am not a "NIMBY", and recognise that there is a great need for homes, especially affordable dwellings. However, homes, hopefully, mean children, and children need green spaces - not sports grounds that need mum's and dad's taxies to get to! This is surely a question of balance. The density of the present plans affords little in the way of play areas, from what I could see. So, fewer houses, more space - surely a satisfactory compromise. This would leave Persimmon with a smaller profit however, which I suspect is the real sticking point.
Yes, Persimmon are looking to make as big a profit as possible, but that's what all businesses are about and I think, in the end, the number of houses will have to be scaled down.
However, where else in Bassett is it viable to build a sports ground, big enough to accomodate the size of the town's teams, than on the outskirts?
The town is losing a green space, but it is by my understanding that it is private land, and children should not be there anyway unless partaking in a sporting activity with one of the clubs. Perhaps a small park could be part of the plans for the homes on the current Gerard Buxton site?
Yes, Persimmon are looking to make as big a profit as possible, but that's what all businesses are about and I think, in the end, the number of houses will have to be scaled down.
However, where else in Bassett is it viable to build a sports ground, big enough to accomodate the size of the town's teams, than on the outskirts?
The town is losing a green space, but it is by my understanding that it is private land, and children should not be there anyway unless partaking in a sporting activity with one of the clubs. Perhaps a small park could be part of the plans for the homes on the current Gerard Buxton site?
Yes we will have more houses, yes we will have more traffic and yes we lose a green space but the extra traffic will be short term until building work has been completed. The green space that is lost at Ryland’s is for the sports clubs and not for everyday use by the public and is small compared to the parks at Longleaze and Normarsh that are still there and are open to the public, also there is a green space at Fairfield and Jubilee Lakes. As a parent of one of the players of the football club I have to be (as Mr Jones quoted) a taxi driver as all my son's home games and training takes place at Ballard’s Ash! A sports Hub is the future for the children of Wootton Bassett Ryland’s Way is the past. When I hear people complain on what profit the developers will make I also hear the same amount of complaints from the same people as to how it will affect the value of there own property, a case of double standards? What we must remember is that the clubs have out grown Ryland’s Way and that the sports Hub will be the continuing legacy to the children of Wootton Bassett. As a local whose home is close to Ryland’s I will be affected but I welcome the short term inconvenience off set by the long term benefits.
Yes we will have more houses, yes we will have more traffic and yes we lose a green space but the extra traffic will be short term until building work has been completed. The green space that is lost at Ryland’s is for the sports clubs and not for everyday use by the public and is small compared to the parks at Longleaze and Normarsh that are still there and are open to the public, also there is a green space at Fairfield and Jubilee Lakes. As a parent of one of the players of the football club I have to be (as Mr Jones quoted) a taxi driver as all my son's home games and training takes place at Ballard’s Ash! A sports Hub is the future for the children of Wootton Bassett Ryland’s Way is the past. When I hear people complain on what profit the developers will make I also hear the same amount of complaints from the same people as to how it will affect the value of there own property, a case of double standards? What we must remember is that the clubs have out grown Ryland’s Way and that the sports Hub will be the continuing legacy to the children of Wootton Bassett. As a local whose home is close to Ryland’s I will be affected but I welcome the short term inconvenience off set by the long term benefits.
The residents should just give up as its a lost cause trying to stop the development -its going to happen - the football club needs a new home and when we get the new stadium it will be great
The residents should just give up as its a lost cause trying to stop the development -its going to happen - the football club needs a new home and when we get the new stadium it will be great
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