Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Persimmon has appled to uproot Gap Road hedging.
Last week Persimmon Homes applied for permission to remove hedgerows on either side of Middle Lane where the Hilperton Gap road will go through. Work would have to be done before the bird-nesting season starts, and Persimmon want to do it in February.

Any comments should be made to the WWDC planning department at planningoffice@westwiltshire.gov.uk (or by using the link in 'Planning Applications') quoting reference 05/02873/HDG. Comments need to be in by 30 December.

Several people have asked me "Why?" and the answer must be that Persimmon are anticipating starting work during 2006. However, there are still several hurdles in their way such as the fact that the Section 106 agreement hasn't been signed (and therefore planning permission for the road has not actually been granted), the East of Trowbridge development (which will fund the road) has been 'called in' by GOSW, and there is also a rumour that Persimmon and Gallagher aren't seeing eye-to-eye about costs.