Key locations in Westbury are set to receive greater protection after councillors agreed to submit applications to list them as Assets of Community Value (ACVs).
The proposal, put forward by Councillor Matthew Dean at a recent full council meeting, will see councillors develop a programme to identify and nominate sites important to the social wellbeing or interests of the local community.
While listing does not guarantee a site cannot be sold or redeveloped, it gives the community a say in planning decisions and time to prepare a bid if the property comes up for sale.
Cllr Dean said, “We have assets in this town that could, hypothetically, be at risk. In my ward we have a community hall in a state of disrepair. From sports fields to halls, pubs and libraries, we need to safeguard our local facilities.”
Following a comment from a member of the public at the beginning of the meeting in support of Westbury Swimming Pool, Cllr Dean suggested that this could be a location considered when applying for ACVs.
“If we could demonstrate some community support and get locals to endorse our applications, alongside town councillors and colleagues at Wiltshire Council, that would be very helpful,” he said.
Cllr Dean proposed that the council aim to submit five to six ACV applications each year. Councillor Philip Harcourt supported the plan, noting that some neighbouring parishes and villages have already protected similar assets.
Cllr Gordon King said, “We have missed the boat so many times in the past. The Cedar Hotel springs to mind. We have not looked after and protected some of those buildings which are of significant interest to our community. We should have done that much earlier.”
Cllr Carole King suggested involving members of the community, and Cllr Dean confirmed that the plan would see local residents and councillors contribute to the process.
Councillors unanimously agreed for officers to develop a programme to identify and submit applications for Westbury’s most valued community sites.
Pictured: Cllr Matthew Dean
