Planning permission for up to 36 new homes near the Mill Brook development has been approved by Wiltshire Council, despite residents’ concerns over construction traffic and access to the site.
The outline application, submitted by Robert Hitchins Ltd for land off Coach Road near Freestone Grove, was approved by Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee on Tuesday 4th June. However, concerns remain over how construction vehicles will access the site.
The application had previously been discussed by the planning committee in April, but a decision was deferred to allow officers more time to engage with the applicant following concerns raised by councillors and the public. Residents raised major objections to the use of the Mill Brook estate as a construction route, saying it would pose a safety risk and significantly disrupt the area.
At the June meeting, local resident Paddy Griffin told the committee that residents still feared ‘years of disruption’ from construction vehicles. “I am shocked on two fronts,” he said, “firstly the speed of the resubmission and the blatant lack of addressing all of the concerns raised by the committee and residents at the last meeting.”
Residents and town councillors had strongly objected to the use of the Mill Brook estate as a construction route, and councillors reiterated that they were not happy with this option. However, they were advised it could still be used if no viable alternative could be found.
Wiltshire Council confirmed that a detailed Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) must be approved before any work begins. It must demonstrate how construction traffic will be managed and include mitigation measures to protect residents. Developers must also explore all possible alternative routes and provide full surveys.
Cllr Christopher Newbury questioned whether Coach Road could be widened to accommodate construction vehicles. Councillors were told it may be possible to suggest the developer undertake this work.
Planning officer Kenny Green said, “The developer will be obligated to submit evidence to the council that there are no other options available other than the routes they put forward. If they come back with just one route, and that route is through the Mill Brook estate, we would expect all evidence possible to show that that is the only option available.”
At Westbury Town Council’s highways, planning and development meeting on Monday 16th June councillors discussed the decision. Councillor Mark Harper he and Mayor Jane Russ drove down Coach Road, and that they believe this route could be a ‘feasible’ construction route, but that some ‘pinch points’ remain.
Pictured: Residents Paddy Griffin and Derren Nugent with Cllr Phil Harcourt at the site last month
