AN application to build 300 houses on the land north of Bitham Park has been refused by Wiltshire Council.
The application, made in September last year, was turned down on 11th March on the grounds that the site spreads out of Westbury’s development boundary, it would hinder traffic on primary routes, and would be detrimental to the beauty of the area. It was opposed by Westbury Town Council and Heywood Parish Council.
But an application to build 220 houses a stone’s throw away at The Mead was approved by Wiltshire Council just two days later; work will start there later this year. The full story on the new ‘White Horse View’ estate can be read on page 20.
Wiltshire Council’s main objection to the Bitham Park development was that it stretches outside of Westbury’s town boundary, so was in conflict with the council’s Core Strategy.
Policy 4.17 of the strategy states, “Proposals for housing growth (over and above that allowed by this Core Strategy) outside the defined limits of development will not be supported unless they arise through community-led planning documents, such as neighbourhood plans, which are endorsed by the local community and accord with the provision of this plan.”
A number residents also expressed their disapproval to the proposal in writing, with the biggest concern being the extra strain on the town’s education and health services, roads, and facilities.
One Westbury resident, Jane Pollitt said, “Westbury itself has very little to offer 300 new families moving into the area. The town centre really only consists of estate agents, take-away food and charity shops.
“300 new homes and families will put immense pressure on already- stretched services and amenities such as schools, dentists and GP practices. Westbury simply does not have the infrastructure to accommodate such a large new development.”
Another town resident who has recently moved to the area, Michael Brennan said, “My family and I chose the area for its beautiful location, small town feel and acceptable access for commuting. The infrastructure for new homes on this scale is definitely not in place. We are unable to get a dentist in this area and have to travel to Salisbury. We were lucky enough to get doctors in Westbury and until the last month we didn’t even have an opticians.
“Also the shops and amenities are not sufficient to support expansion on this scale, there have already been three shops leaving Westbury since we have arrived and only one replacing them.
“As for the roads, there certainly is not either the standard or capacity to support this proposed development. How such a busy road as the A350 is only a single carriageway defies belief, so to consider such a proposal for a potential 600 extra cars on an already overstretched major artery should not even be an option.”
To see more details of the planning application and consultation responses, search for 14/09262/OUT on www.wiltshire.gov.uk
