WILTSHIRE Council is asking for local input on plans to reshape the town in a series of Future Chippenham pop-up events.

These events, the council says, will help it to “create an infrastructure led development” will be taking place over the coming weeks.

The first of these events will take place on Saturday, November 27 at The Olympiad where members of the Future Chippenham team will be on hand to answer questions about the scheme.

A spokesman for the council said: “The events will enable local people to input and help shape the vision of Future Chippenham, to enable sustainable growth and meet the needs of the local community and economy for future generations.

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“This will be followed with events in Chippenham High Street, Wiltshire College & University Centre, and Borough Parade. Leaflets will also be distributed at Chippenham Railway Station, weather permitting.”

Here is the list of upcoming events:

  • The Olympiad on Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 9am
  • Artisan Market in Chippenham High Street on Sunday, November 28, 2021
  • Wiltshire College & University Centre, Chippenham Campus on Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 8.30am
  • Chippenham Railway Station on Friday, December 3, 2021 from 7am to 9am and again from 3.30pm
  • Borough Parade on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 8am

Leader of the council, Richard Clewer said: “We are excited to reconnect with people on the Future Chippenham programme.

“We want to shape a future that creates sustainable, accessible communities, responds to the challenge of climate change, connects people, provides the affordable housing our communities need and enables Chippenham’s economy to thrive.

“To do this properly, we need the local community to be involved in the process.

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“Development will take place in Chippenham both to meet government housing targets and to help provide the affordable housing we need to keep our young people in the communities they grew up in. So, it’s important to focus on how new development could be delivered in a planned and carefully managed way that works for local residents and secures investment for our future communities. Subject to the outcome of the Local Plan review, the Future Chippenham programme aims to provide infrastructure led development which is properly masterplanned to help meet the needs of the community. The alternative is isolated cookie cutter housing estates which do not integrate with the town or community or have the ability to provide the wider benefits.

“We would strongly encourage local people to take the opportunity to come and talk to us at one of our pop-up events. The feedback gathered will be used to help establish the vision for Future Chippenham. There will also be another opportunity for people to give us their views, as we are planning to hold a more detailed public consultation on the Future Chippenham proposals early in 2022.”