DISCUSSIONS on progressing the hotly debated low-speed distributor road in Chippenham have been postponed by Wiltshire Council.

Originally due to be discussed next Tuesday, the Future Chippenham consultation results will go to an extraordinary meeting of the cabinet on July 21.

The cabinet report on the Future Chippenham programme – which will be released at least one week before the meeting – will look at the feedback from road route options survey, the preferred road route and what happens next.

Leader of Wiltshire Council, Richard Clewer said: “We received a good level of responses to the recent consultation and it is important that we listen and take all of this feedback, both positive and negative, into account as we consider the proposals.

“To do this properly we need time to fully consider the information that is being presented to us.”

In total, Wiltshire Council received 1,200 responses to the Future Chippenham route options consultation online, by email or by post.

Cllr Clewer added: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to give us their views, both positive or negative.

READ MORE: Plans for 150 houses above an active mine in Pickwick rejected by planning inspector

“Many of the comments gave really good insight and local knowledge and we are taking these into account as we consider the proposals.

“Subject to the Local Plan review, the next stage is to report on the details of the consultation to cabinet at their meeting at which the next steps will be laid out.”

Prior to the reshuffle, concerns were voiced by chairman of CAUSE – Campaign Against Urban Sprawl to the East (of Chippenham) – Steve Perry, who questioned by the item was originally proposed to be taken behind closed doors.

A fact which has now been changed to mean that only some aspects – those commercially sensitive – will be heard when both press and public are excluded.

In an email to the leader, Mr Perry called on Cllr Clewer to be as transparent in the process as possible. Mr Perry was shocked that a discussion on the results of a public consultation would even be considered to happen behind closed doors.

Cllr Clewer replied: “All of the important decision making with regard to the substance of the Future Chippenham project and how we now proceed having engaged in a substantive consultation process which we need to take into consideration, will be carried out in public.”