PLANS to build 31 houses in Bratton have been welcomed by the chairman of Bratton Parish Council, who says that the new development will bring residents to the village who will help sustain local amenities and services.
Wiltshire Council recently approved the reserved matters application for the new houses on land north of Westbury Road that the developer Ashford Homes says is designed to cater to a variety of needs, offering five shared ownership properties, seven homes for affordable rent, and 19 open market plots.
Chairman of Bratton Parish Council, Keith Rayward, says, “With Wiltshire Council giving the green light to Ashford Homes for their development, Bratton is about to experience its greatest change this century. The 31 extra houses will provide some welcome additional residents to the village, which should help to sustain the local amenities we all enjoy.
“Bratton has a thriving community, and is fortunate to have a village post office and shop, doctors’ surgery and dispensary, a primary school, two village halls, a village green with an excellent playground, and a splendid recreation ground supporting football and cricket. However, we do have to respect that some residents, especially those who live next to the development, will be experiencing some disturbance and loss of visual amenity over the coming months whilst construction takes place.
“Bratton Parish Council is determined to see that this development, which is right on the western edge of the village, is drawn fully into our community, and will be working with both Wiltshire Council and the developers to ensure that footpaths into the village centre facilitate ready access on foot or using pushchairs, especially for getting to the school. This means that the crossing of Court Lane, where the volume of traffic has doubled over the last three years, must be made as safe as possible.
“We are also heartened by the efforts that Ashford Homes have made to discuss the proposed development with the village, and have taken into account comments that residents have made.
“Bratton residents take a great pride in maintaining the character of the village. A group are working hard on producing the Bratton Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan, which characterises the village and the sort of developments that will be acceptable in the future. The parish council hopes that all our residents will support this important plan, and look forward to their engagement in the public consultations which will be taking place later in the year.”
