Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Still time to participate in Wiltshire Core Strategy consultation.

There is still time for people to participate in a consultation on proposed modifications to a plan which sets out how Wiltshire will grow and develop over the coming years.

Last summer the Wiltshire Core Strategy, which has been developed with communities over the last five years was, as part of its examination by an independent government inspector, scrutinised at public hearing sessions.

As a result, the council and the Inspector have put forward modifications to some aspects of the plan and local people, businesses and organisations are being asked to comment on the proposed modifications and other matters, full details of which are available to view at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirecorestrategyexamination

The consultation runs until Tuesday May 27 2014.

The proposed changes include the Inspector's modifications to the standalone renewable energy installations policy in relation to wind turbines and the removal of the saved eastern Westbury bypass policy.

The inspector also proposed increasing the housing numbers in the draft Wiltshire Core Strategy from 37,000 to 42,000. In distributing the additional new homes, the council has sought to maintain the distribution of growth within the Core Strategy, which has previously been widely consulted on and officers have assessed and identified which areas could accommodate and also deliver extra housing. The proposal for where these extra homes will be delivered are included as proposed modifications to the Wiltshire Core Strategy and forms part of the consultation.

The Wiltshire Core Strategy is with a government-appointed inspector for examination. The examination in public hearing sessions were held in the Summer of 2013. A consultation followed (August – October 2013) on the issues which arose during those sessions. Full details of this consultation and all matters relating to the progress of the WCS are available on the council’s website.

In December 2013 the council received the 10th procedural letter from the Inspector, which sought the views of the council on a number of matters. The council’s response has resulted in further main and minor proposed changes to the Wiltshire Core Strategy. (Main modifications are alterations to the meaning of the strategy to ensure it complies with tests of soundness. Minor modifications are to add clarity and remove duplication without altering the meaning.)

The council has also proposed changes to the Wiltshire Core Strategy as a result of the responses received during the consultation that closed in October 2013.

In April 2014 the council received the 14th Procedural Letter from the Inspector which proposed additional modifications relating to:

• Core Policy 42 ‘Standalone Renewable Energy Installations’ and its supporting text;

• Core Policy 48 ‘Supporting Rural Life’; and

• The replacement of ‘Saved’ Policy T1a ‘Westbury Bypass Package’

These modifications will also be included as part of the consultation which takes place to Tuesday 27 May 2014. The consultation will give all interested parties the opportunity to comment on the following before the Inspector completes his report:1. The proposed modifications (changes)

2. The council’s updates to the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) based on its own Schedule of Proposed Modifications.

3. The implications that the recently published National Planning Practice Guidance may have on the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

Consultation details.

The consultation documents and representation forms, together with a ‘guide to making comments’ are able to be viewed and downloaded on the Wiltshire Council website: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/wiltshirecorestrategy/wiltshirecorestrategyexamination.htm

Alternatively, copies of the documents can be viewed at the main council offices and at all libraries across Wiltshire during normal opening hours.

People who want to make comments are asked to complete a separate form for each representation. Completed representation forms can be sent electronically via email to spatialplanningpolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk or posted to the following address: Spatial Planning, Economic Development and Planning, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN.

The main aspect that Hilperton residents might care to concentrate on is whether the 'Greater Trowbridge Area' can survive if an extra 950 houses are built - that is in addition to all the houses which already have permission along the West Ashton Road.