CONCERN has been raised about the future of land next to Bitham Park.
Wiltshire Council has said that they are considering the future of the green space, which is opposite Lidl supermarket, sparking fears that it may be used for more housing.
The farmer, whose cattle grazed on the land, was recently served notice by the council to vacate the land.
Local woman Michele Cleaver, who first alerted White Horse News to the recent development said, “This does sound suspicious – and you just can’t trust Wiltshire Council. This is a really old piece of land that supports so much wildlife, including egrets in the winter. Considering all the housing that we have had dumped on us, you think Wiltshire Council would leave us some green space.
“Westbury is being beaten into submission – we have lost so many fights, including the fight for the hospital land. Apathy has started to set in – it feels like Wiltshire Council has an agenda and we can’t fight them on it. Everything is being taken away, and nothing given back. What about the people who already live here? Can’t this be maintained as a piece of countryside for us to enjoy.”
In response to questions from White Horse News, Toby Sturgis, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for spatial planning said, “Notice has been served on the farmer because development of the adjoining site is now well under way and we are thinking about its future use given that it will be surrounded by development. Any new use of this site will need to go through the normal planning application process.”
Westbury Town Council has said that it will be discussing the matter at its next highways, planning and development committee meeting on Monday 21st October.
