So the predictions of residents for the past five years have come to pass – thousands of houses to be built all around Chippenham to the south, north and east plus the continued battle for The Range to the west.

Green fields will be destroyed to maximise developer profits. Wiltshire Council seems determined to create a ring doughnut around Chippenham, with the housing, employment and retail all surrounding the town on a ring road.

This is turn will suck all life out of the town centre, harming our independent retailers and restaurateurs. Goodbye market town, hello mini-Swindon.

Kim Stuckey, Tytherton Lucas.