Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

A close vote on the Paxcroft Mead extension development.
With the support of Trevor Carbin, I attempted to get the 'South of Paxcroft Mead' planning application deferred last night on highway grounds.

The basis of building the houses was not in doubt as the area is allocated for housing in the district plan, and the profit from these will fund the Gap road. However, there was a glimmer of hope that the extension of Leapgate could be stopped by not joining it (Leapgate) to the proposed new road.

This could have been achieved by having the 'new' Paxcroft developed as a 'mirror' of the existing settlement. This would have stopped Leapgate and the Gap road being seen as a 'major' route and would have reduced traffic flow for the residents of Paxcroft Mead, Hilperton and Staverton.

Regretably we will now never know if this could have been achieved and I regret the fact that two councillors from Trowbridge (Cllrs. James and Knight) saw fit to take what appeared to be a rather parochial view of this matter.

However, there is some positive news in that Mr. Tilley (from the WCC highways department) was at the meeting and, in response to a question from myself, confirmed that WCC would be seeking a bond from Persimmon to ensure construction of the Hilperton Relief Road - WCC will not be relying on the word of Persimmon to deliver it!