PLANS to build up to 40 houses on land off Freestone Grove have been criticised by town councillors following a presentation by Pegasus Group, the development consultancy that owns the land, at a meeting of a town council committee earlier this month.
Councillors described the plans, at the edge of the development off Trowbridge Road, as lacking detail and raised concerns over the proposed access to the site, as well as a lack of wildlife provisions.
Speaking at the meeting of highways, planning, and development on Monday 20th March, cllr Mike Sutton raised concerns over Coach Road being used as construction access. “Any heavy traffic coming out of Coach Road will have to access the A350 on a blind bend near the railway bridge”, he said.
“We have opposed any increase of access there for years, and we currently have a proposal for Wiltshire Council’s highways department do something about that, as it’s a very dangerous corner.”
In response, the Pegasus spokesperson confirmed that if that route was to be used for construction access it would be from Bitham Park into the site with no intention to access the A350.
The spokesperson also confirmed that the details about access will be looked at following the approval of the initial outline plans, and that it would form part of the ‘reserved matters’ application.
Cllr Mark Bailey questioned why the potential two-way traffic movements for the plan were listed as 20 to 25 at peak times despite there being 40 dwellings. He said, “Most families have two cars, so you would expect something like 80 movements”, but he was told that this was a misconception and that the data is the average according to traffic surveys.
Cllr Pauline Stallard mentioned the lack of any wildlife considerations, and cllr Gordon King brought up the general lack of detail provided.
“As cllr Stallard mentioned, we would like to see some real infrastructure built to support the vast wildlife that this area supports”, he said. “All your outline planning permission is seeking is the approval of the principle of development in that location and it seems that everything else will follow later as a reserved matter.”
Cllr Philip Harcourt raised concerns that the full detail about “the most controversial issue that came out of the public consultation”, i.e., the access to the site, was not included in these current plans. He also corrected them on the width of the road at Freestone Grove, following his own measurements.
The spokesperson said that they will undertake a transport assessment to show where the access will be from further down the line, but that the general access can be seen on the masterplan.
On the public consultation website for the plans, Pegasus Group says, “The proposed development includes a policy compliant level of affordable housing provision, designated areas of public open space and the retention of existing vegetated area.
“A new vehicular and pedestrian access can be delivered off Freestone Grove and Cheviot Road to serve the development. The site is a proposed allocation in the emerging Westbury Neighbourhood Plan”
Plans are expected to be submitted to Wiltshire Council this summer. You can view the plans online at www.freestonegrove.co.uk
