THE application for 200 homes off Storridge Road has been refused by Wiltshire Council on a number of grounds and residents are applauding the community effort made to successfully fight the plans.
Gladman Ltd put in an application for outline planning permission for the demolition of number 13 and 14 Storridge Road and the erection of up to 200 dwellings with public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and a vehicular access point from Storridge Road on Thursday 21 December, 2017.
Residents of Storridge Road, The Ham and Hawkeridge Park joined forces to show their concern over the development, creating a campaign group to oppose the development.
The main concerns raised during residents’ meetings, and expressed to the council through 120 letters of comment registered on the online planning portal, were; over-development with under-resourcing of local amenities; safety issues of site access for domestic, commercial and emergency vehicles and additional congestion at one of Westbury’s busiest junctions serving traffic to and from one of Wiltshire’s biggest trading estates.
Wiltshire Council released their decision on Thursday 6th July, choosing to refuse the application on a number of grounds including; insufficient information regarding whether the site could accommodate 200 dwellings; the site is within boundaries of potential heritage assets with archaeological interest; and insufficient noise assesments.
Jim Marley, campaigner, said, “It’s a great result for all the Westbury residents who were against the recent planning application on the land at Storridge Road. Another 200 homes in a small town that’s already struggling with its infrastructure would just add more pressure to the towns facilities. I’d like to thank everyone who gave their support to the campaign, and showed their passion of what is important to them.
“I’m really proud to say I live in a great community that pulled together to also protect the animals and the amazing countryside, who I’m sure are really thankful too! Great Result Westbury.”
Gem Price, who was also involved in the campaign said, “I am over the moon. I feel so pleased that all of the hard work paid off and my children’s future has been protected and that of everyone else who lives up Hawkerige Park and The Ham.”
