Residents’ concern over new residential development on Storridge Road

RESIDENTS of Storridge Road, The Ham and Hawkeridge Park are expressing their concern over a proposed new residential dwelling of 200 houses in the fields off Storridge Road.

Gladman Developments Ltd, the company behind the proposed plans, distributed consultation leaflets to approximately 515 houses and businesses in Westbury in November. However, the residents have taken to social media to vent their opposing ideas and an action group has been set up to respond to the proposal.

A meeting will take place on Friday 19th January at the Marlborough Suite in Players, next to Club Ice, at 7.30pm. The meeting will give local residents the opportunity to share their views and opinions together.

The proposed development would see a mix  of sized houses for all members of the community alongside 40% of affordable housing. There would also be new publicly accessible greenspace, enhanced hedgerows and green corridors, play areas and footpaths.

The planning application has been put forward to Wiltshire Council under 17/12342/OUT and also applies for the permission for demolition of number 13 and 14 Storridge Road to cater for a new access road.

The main areas that have sparked concern is the additional traffic this development would add to the already busy Storridge Road, the entrance access to the development and the already overstretched facilities such as schools and doctors.

Gladman Developments Ltd has stated that the new development will not increase the pressure on local services saying, “Often people are concerned that the proposed new development will put pressure on the local services. As a result, financial contributions will  be  made  where  there  is  a  need  to  increase  capacity  in  these  services, such as the local schools and GP surgery.

“After some preliminary research, taking into account the increase in people  working  from  home,  the  proposed  development  could  lead  to  a  significant  boost  in  local  spending  and  a  potential  reduction  in  commuter  levels  to  surrounding  employment  areas.  There  is  an  indication that the gross spending power of the new residents could be  in  excess  of  £4.2million  each  year,  a  proportion  of  which  will  be spent in the locality.”

Overall Gladman believe that, “a development should provide an opportunity to improve the  range  and  quality  of  services  that  are  available  in  Westbury.” The company adds, “We  would be very interested to hear your views on any additional services or improvements that would be of value to your community.”

You can view and keep up to date with the plans and progress of this application by visiting www.your-views. co.uk/Westbury where your comments and online feedback are encouraged.

Alternatively, you can contact them view comments @your-views.co.uk by using Westbury as the subject line or you can write to them at Your Views; Westbury Gladman House, Alexandria Way, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1LB.

You also have until Friday 9th February to comment on the planning application on the Wiltshire Council Planning website with a target date for decision on Thursday 22nd March. However, Heywood Parish Council has asked for an extension to Wednesday 14th February due to there being no documents online.