People throughout Devizes and the surrounding area can now have their say on the Local Plan review, and the Gypsy and Travellers Plan, as the consultations begin this week.

The Local Plan consultation provides an opportunity for residents, business and other Wiltshire stakeholders, such as town and parish councils, to share their views on where future development - including housing, infrastructure and land for employment - may be built in their area for the next 15 years.  

The council is also holding a series of online engagement sessions to enable people to find out more about the proposals their area. 

On January 27 there will be an online event on the future of Devizes. An online event for Wiltshire villages will take place on February 1 and February 2. Each event will be held from 7pm-8pm on the scheduled date.

Go to https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-policy-local-plan-review to sign up.

Below is a list of the areas earmarked for development under the plan, with the council's descriptions.

Site 1: Land adjoining Lay Wood (Part of SHELAA site 662)

• Any development should take account of the setting of Grade II listed Leywood House and setting of the Kennet and Avon canal.

• Bounded by the Kennet and Avon Canal offering opportunities to enhance blue and green infrastructure and use for recreation.

• High surface water and groundwater flood risk.

• Access to the site would be onto the A361 which suffers from congestion and delays. Transport solutions would need to be explored.

• The site is not physically well related to the town centre.

Site 2: Land at Coate Bridge (SHELAA sites 693a and b)

• Bounded by the Kennet and Avon Canal offering opportunities to enhance blue and green infrastructure and use for recreation. Any development should take account of the wider rural setting to the canal.

• Access to the site would be onto the A361 which suffers from congestion and delays. Transport solutions would need to be explored.

Site 3: Land east of Windsor Drive (SHELAA site 624)

• Located east of Devizes between allotments on Windsor Drive and a public right of way. It is accessible via a bridleway but segregated from residential areas by an allotment site.

• Good access to a wider network of footpaths east of the town.

• Part of a gentle hill rising to the east of the town, the site has medium landscape sensitivity with higher sensitivity to the north of the site. Any development should be located away from the most sensitive areas.

• Ditches on site could indicate medieval activity and further investigation would be needed.

• Land may be needed to expand an existing primary school.

Site 4: Broadway Farm (SHELAA site 524)

• Located at the base of a sloping landform, consideration would need to be given to development being prominent on a rising landform and potential impact on the rural setting to the town.

• On the southern part of the site any development should take account of the impact on the setting of Grade II listed Nursteed Farm.

• Land may be needed to expand an existing primary school.

Site 5: Land off A342 and Sleight Road (SHELAA site 543)

• Dismantled railway embankment on site. The legibility of the railway should be maintained.

• Any development on the site should take account of the impact on the setting of the Grade II listed Fox and Hounds pub.

Site 6: Greenacre nursery (SHELAA site 3259)

• Any development on the site should take account of impact on the setting of the Grade II listed Roundway Hospital. 9 Wiltshire Council Local Plan - Planning for Devizes • Reuse of previously developed land.

• The sites is on a disused railway line which is a commuting route for bats. Any adverse impacts on bats known to be present in Drews Pond Wood must be explored and avoided.

Site 7: Caen Hill Farm and part of Garden trading Estate (SHELAA sites 3374 and 537)

• Access to the A361 is not achievable and Avon Road can only accommodate a small increase in traffic flows. The site is beyond reasonable walking distance to a bus stop. Transport solutions would need to be explored.

• The site is on a disused railway line which is a commuting route for bats. Any adverse impacts on bats known to be present in Drews Pond Wood must be explored and avoided.

Site 8: Land to the North East of Roundway Park (SHELAA site 549b)

• Any development on the site should take account of the impact on setting of the former Roundway Park Estate, which includes a number of Grade II listed buildngs.

• Access to the site would be onto the A361 which suffers from significant congestion and delays. Transport solutions would need to be explored.

• Good pedestrian and cycling links.

Cllr Toby Sturgis, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “The Local Plan sets out where development, such as housing, may be built in Wiltshire up until 2036, so it’s important that people use this opportunity to take part in the consultation and let us know what they think.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Toby Sturgis, Cabinet Member for PlanningToby Sturgis, Cabinet Member for Planning

“Although there will be another chance to comment on the draft Local Plan later in the year, this is a key stage in the plan-making process, as it gives communities and businesses the opportunity to let us know what they think about proposed development in their area before the Plan is finalised for consultation and examination. We also want people’s thoughts on how we can tackle climate change through planning.

“I’d encourage anyone with an interest in development in their community, whether it’s a town or village, to take part in this consultation process, sign up for our online engagement events to find out more, and then submit their comments.”