A MAJOR planning inquiry into how Chippenham will develop until 2026 has been suspended for six months by a planning inspector after he criticised the evidence presented by Wiltshire Council.

Inspector Patrick Whitehead suspended the hearing at the Chippenham Town Hall that was meant to last two weeks on just the second day.

He said he had raised significant issues with the council and much additional work was needed before he could restart the inquiry.

Mr Whitehead said: “At this point in time I am unable to say that it’s possible to find the plan sound on the basis that I have serious concerns regarding the evidence basis.”

Plan protester Kim Stuckey, of Tytherton Lucas, said: “The council were warned earlier this summer that they had fatal flaws in the plan. They totally ignored the public representations and went ahead anyway. They are reaping the rewards of a failed policy.”

The inspector said it became apparent that Wiltshire Council site selection process, to determine which areas should be in the plan, had shortcomings as did the council’s sustainability appraisal.

Andy Stevenson, of Monkton Park of Chippenham added: “The six month hiatus that Wiltshire Council have been granted, they should use that to consider the soundness and deliverability of what they have been tasked to do.”

Wiltshire Councillor Chris Caswill said: “I would to say this was a very fair hearing where everyone had the chance to have their say and its clear that what the resident had to say was right.

“I hope the council will now take the opportunity to re-think their whole approach to the future of Chippenham.”

Yesterday morning (Nov 11) the inspector discovered shortcomings in the deliverability of the plan in respect to the Eastern Link Road.

The road requires two bridges, over the railway line and the River Avon and, during the hearings, the inspector had concerns about whether the bridges were deliverability.

The result is that the plan has been suspended for six months to allow Wiltshire Council more time to revisit the plan and try to find evidence to support the plan.

If Wiltshire Council does that the same plan will return to the hearing’s stage in six months but if it cannot, a whole new plan may be required.

The Chippenham Site Allocation Plan outlines proposed strategic sites to ensure the delivery of housing and employment growth for the town by 2026 as set by the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “While this delay is disappointing, planning for the growth of Chippenham has been difficult given the options available. We will now look to address any concerns the inspector has regarding the site selection process and the evidence which underpins it.”

“We will be consulting with local people in due course.”