Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

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Wiltshire Council news from Ernie Clark. Your Independent councillor for Hilperton.

The latest phase of consultation on the Wiltshire Core Strategy finished in early August and it would seem that Wiltshire Council has had quite a response from Hilperton residents. Together with the parish council clerk, I’m meeting the spatial planners in late September to try and get the Village Policy Limit re-instated.

Although not in Hilperton, the following might cheer you up. The old Bowyers factory site could be transformed into the Innox Riverside 'family leisure destination'. Prorsus, a retail and leisure development company, is looking to deliver a 145,000 sq. ft mixed-use scheme for the site.

The scheme will feature an 8-screen cinema, restaurants, coffee shops, a riverside walk, a new civic square and public open space. Oh, and a Morrison foodstore. The scheme is fully financed and almost fully let. There will be a public exhibition in St. John's Parish Church Hall, Trowbridge on the 2nd (2.00pm - 8.00pm) and 3rd (10.00am - 4.00pm) of September.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued a consultation document outlining how it wants to reform the system for village green applications. DEFRA said the aim of its reform is to 'effect a better balance between protecting high quality green space valued by local communities and enabling legitimate development to occur'.

DEFRA wants to make it easier for local authorities to reject applications, apply a 'character' test to proposed village green sites, introduce fees for applicants and prevent the registration of land that is subject to a planning application or has planning permission. I must admit that I didn't realise that land with planning permission was covered by the village green legislation. If you are thinking of applying to get any open space registered as a 'village green', now would seem to be the time to get started!!

A final reminder that there's still an opportunity for local people to carry the flame for the Olympics next year. Lloyds TSB is sponsoring the Torch Relay, and they are inviting Wiltshire residents to nominate someone who has made a difference in their community for the opportunity to carry the flame. Nominations can be made online until 12 September at lloydstsb.com/carrytheflame