Wiltshire Council has said the next stage of consultation for the local plan will come in 2022 after a draft document has gone through cabinet and full council.

At this week’s cabinet meeting, members were asked to agree to continue the Local Plan Review process, as well as to assess renewable energy and zero carbon development potential.

The Wiltshire local plan is a document that dictates how many houses are to be built in the county and where they will be built over the next 15 years.

Cabinet member for planning, Nick Botterill said: "The recent Wiltshire Local Plan review consultation attracted more than 3,500 representations from 2,682 people and organisations, which is a fantastic response, and shows just how passionate the people of Wiltshire are about potential development in their area.

"The Local Plan needs to be based on robust evidence to support the delivery of sustainable development across Wiltshire.

"We have listened to the views of Wiltshire's communities and stakeholders, and as a result of the consultation, plus the need to consider the societal changes caused by the pandemic, we are updating the Plan's evidence base to ensure we plan for the right number of homes and other developments until 2036.”

Having already conducted a “pre-consultation” earlier this year, it is predicted that the consultation on the draft local plan will be ready for public scrutiny by 2022.

Richard Clewer, leader of the council said there will be significant further public consultation on the controversial plans.

Cllr Clewer said that as a party they would look to provide the minimum number of houses allocated by government but must also consider the evidence.

DEVIZES

In Devizes, there was a mixed response to the level of growth proposed with developers supporting the figures and the community believing the scale “about right” or too high with calls for development on brownfield sites only.

By 2036 a further 330 homes would have to be built in the area to match the government target figures.

Adding that development should not make the traffic in the area worse as a result.

The cabinet report continued: “Concern from Natural England and the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty over sites that affect the designation; wider concern from the local community that not enough emphasis was placed upon the town’s landscape setting, green space and heritage.

“Brownfield sites for new homes were promoted at Wadworth Brewery, Devizes School, and by NHS property on sites that are surplus.

“Many objected to Site six, Greenacres Nursery due to its importance as community greenspace and for biodiversity.”

CORSHAM

In Corsham, the town council said the scale of growth would put a strain on the local health services and Natural England objected to development on The Circus due to the potential harm it would cause to the bat population.

Under the current proposals, it would mean that an additional 120 houses are to be built in Corsham up to 2036.

CHIPPENHAM

The new strategy proposes that the housing need for Chippenham means building an additional 9,225 homes for the plan period 2016-2036.

Where houses are in the pipeline or already built, this means a further 5,500.

In Chippenham, residents significantly opposed the level of growth for the town with many asserting the plans -- closely linked to the Future Chippenham project -- undermine tackling the climate emergency.

The report continued: “There were considerable objections to new road proposals. Some suggested that the existing road infrastructure is sufficient and some suggested road improvements (e.g. Bridge Centre roundabout and further improvements to the A350 could be made instead).

“Support for Chippenham as a focus for growth came from developers and landowners, although questions were raised about whether the homes could be delivered in the timescale.

“There were no objections from statutory environmental agencies, pending further details Land was promoted as further development for employment at M4 Junction 17.”

MALMESBURY

Under the current proposals there would be a total of 665 new homes required in Malmesbury for the plan period 2016-2036.

However, after deducting those already built or on the way, this number is reduced to 95.

Malmesbury residents, in their responses, asked for more sports and leisure facilities to meet the needs of the town’s young people.

Developers suggested higher levels of development in the town to reflect its role while the local community suggested lower numbers due to environmental constraints and the town’s infrastructure.

“Natural England raised concerns over sites that could affect the AONB whilst Sport England would object if the cricket club was proposed for redevelopment,” the report said.

MARLBOROUGH

In Marlborough, the report notes concern over the level of growth, which revolved around the balance of jobs to homes.

Responses also questioned the need for affordable homes and houses in general from the community itself.

The town also felt the need for more infrastructure to support the levels of growth.