SADLERS Mead multi storey car park will only benefit commuters and not support Chippenham high street, say residents opposing the plans.

The Chippenham car park project was described as a missed opportunity to provide an imaginative solution to the town’s parking issues and councillors called for more consideration to be made for people travelling into the town from the north.

The car park is part of a joint planning application that will also see new head quarters built for energy company Good Energy, securing 300 jobs in Chippenham.

Geoff Harris lives at Sadlers Mead and said: “There are a lot of children who use that route and I am concerned about the air quality. Many use scooters and there have been near accidents.”

Cllr Nick Murry said: “It’ll be one of those decisions that people in the future will think why in earth did that happen. Commuter parking should be along Cocklebury Rd and there is no justification for it be near the park. The funding by the Department for Transport designated for car parking for the train station should never have been put at Sadlers Mead. There will be 400 cars coming out of three exits continuously.”

Cllr Ragvir Gill raised issues around increased traffic and urged Good Energy to invest in the town in a different way, during the town council planning meeting held in Chippenham Museum last Thursday. said: “If Good Energy what to invest in Chippenham I’m sure there are other ways, not this car park. I’m not saying they are not welcome but the car park is the wrong way. There is already enough traffic there and will increase the struggle to get out of Sadlers Mead.”

Issues surrounding public safety were also raised for the car park which will be open 24 hours a day under the plans.

Cllr Peter Hutton said that despite concerns he was not convinced that the project should be objected to. He said: “If I was a resident, I would be most concerned about the security and safety at the car park. It is proposed to be open 24 hours and therefore there is a risk of antisocial behaviour but I have seen no mention of this. If the building does go ahead there should be appropriate safety measures in places such as lighting in the stair wells to protect public safety.“However I have not heard enough to convince me to object.” Cllr Bill Douglas said the council could not have picked a worse place in Chippenham to build a car park.

Chair Michelle Pearce said: “We are disappointed the application for the car park and Good Energy building came together. We as a town council wish to encourage business and keeping jobs for Chippenham people in Chippenham." The town council voted to object to the planning application, five votes to one, with two abstentions.