Westbury town council joins fight against hospital homes

WESTBURY Town Council has submitted a lengthy objection to plans to build a housing estate on the site of Westbury Hospital, reflecting many of the concerns expressed by local residents.

The council produced its comments after discussing the application at two meetings. Issues including the town boundary, affordable housing provision, flooding risk, and protected trees were included in the statement.

However, the town council is keen to explain that it has no power to stop the application being approved. Town councillor and chair of the planning committee Ian Cunningham said, “This item has resulted in considerably more interest than most planning items that we consider.

“The first thing we want to make clear is that Westbury Town Council’s Highways, Planning and Development Committee does not make planning decisions. We are a statutory consultee, meaning that the planning authorities must ask our opinion as it is hoped that we may have local knowledge. We cannot permit or stop an application – only comment.

“Secondly, while we can indicate support or opposition, only objections that relate directly to planning issues will be accepted.  Many residents have spoken and written on the need for health services, the lack of ‘democracy’, ownership of the land etc, but generally these are not planning matters.”

The Government’s ‘Planning Practice Guidance’ says, “Local opposition or support for a proposal is not in itself a ground for refusing or granting planning permission, unless it is founded upon valid material planning reasons.”

Councillor Cunningham continued, “Some people  have expressed views as to the ownership of the hospital site. It may surprise people to learn that land ownership is not a planning issue. As a general principle, anyone can apply for planning permission on most land or property whether they own it or not.

“You could apply to build a house in your neighbour’s garden – but if granted it would give you no legal right to start building on land you don’t own – the permission applies to the site, not the applicant.”

The town council held a meeting on Monday 21st December, and another on Monday 11th January after being granted an extended period in which to comment. In its comments the town council said:

•  It would rather the site was used for healthcare – that residents said their relatives had had to stay in hospitals in Bath or Salisbury because no local beds were available, and that “there would appear to be a significant local need for non-acute longer stay hospital beds.”

• “Development has gone on without sufficient supporting infrastructure in Westbury for some time. There have been several developments which, along with this proposed development, seem to have made little or no contribution to infrastructure.”

• Employment opportunities have not grown sufficiently in proportion with the population of the town.

• Only eight affordable houses have been planned for the site; the council believes there should be 18.

• Some of the planned homes extend outside of the site and town boundary.

• Increased flood risk is an issue in the area, and the site has flooded badly before, notably around 1990.

• The plans have underestimated most of the walking times given between the development and amenities in the town, and not taken account of the hilly terrain.

• There is not an NHS dentist in close proximity.

• That a bus stop mentioned in the planning statement is no longer in use, and the nearest is approximately 350m away.

• That a lack of pavements and narrow pavements in The Butts could pose a safety risk if traffic increases.

• There are two trees protected by preservation orders on the site, and that work too close to them could have a detrimental effect.

• It would like to see the site considered for public use, as it is effectively in public ownership.

The town council’s full comments can be read online by entering reference 15/11604/OUT in the planning search at www.wiltshire.gov.uk