Chippenham 2020 has unveiled its plans to build 2,600 houses along the River Avon and River Marden, a stunning landscape that provides the people of Chippenham, Bremhill and visitors with lovely walks on footpaths and the Sustrans route. This land is a haven for wildlife and is in the parish of Bremhill and Calne Community Area and not Chippenham Town.

Is there a need for an additional 2,600 houses over and above those already being brought forward for development across Chippenham?

Is there a need for an eastern link road now that the A350 is being dualled?

The transport consultant at the presentation on January 7 stated the capacity of the road was 12,000 car movements a day, with an average of four movements per family home, making a total of 10,600 from the housing estate – clearly indicating that the link road is provided for the estate and will offer little respite to the community living to the east of Chippenham. What will stop this additional traffic using the lanes of Bremhill parish?

Why is it the outline plan has changed so much from that shown to the community in recent years? Chippenham 2020 promised a road travelling through the housing development with some shops.

It seems there has been a reversal of that decision, showing what can be best described as a bypass running parallel to the River Marden, and then turning to the west. The light and noise pollution for residents of Tytherton Lucas will be significant. Can the community trust Chippenham 2020 in the future?

Bremhill parish is a rural community, agriculture is the core business. The parish cannot afford to lose more than 250 acres of farmland to concrete when farmers are desperate for land to grow crops to sustain three of the largest dairy herds in Wiltshire. There will be a loss of farmland seed for the wildlife, which is already in decline.

Flooding is a major concern upstream of Chippenham. Indeed Chippenham town centre was a Rizla paper away from being flooded on December 23, 2013. The council has been advised that development should not take place to the east of Chippenham alongside the two rivers. We hope councillors listen.

Building 2,600 houses on open countryside is neither proportional nor required, especially on green, open countryside.

A Cabinet meeting is being held on February 10 at the Town Hall in Trowbridge at 10.30am and a presentation is being given by Wiltshire Council at the Calne Area Board at 5pm at Beaversbrook Sports Centre on the same day. Come and voice your concerns.

Ian James, Bremhill Parish Council.