Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Two local items were discussed last night ...
BLACKLANDS

All three local councillors (myself, Trevor Carbin and Dave Binding) voted against granting permission but the application was approved. The outline application had already been permitted, so this was to consider 'detail' such as tne number of houses, their siting, their design etc.

We raised the issues that local residents and the parish council had highlighted; the poor and overcrowded design, the concentration of 'affordable housing' in two blocks rather than being spread around, and the need to allow the Holt/Staverton cycle track to pass through the development.

WWDC policy states that affordable homes should be mixed in with 'open market' houses. However, the housing associations prefer their properties in blocks because they claim they are then easier to maintain. Developers also prefer this because they can 'design' them into a corner of the site and then try to pretend that they're not there.

Developers say the cycle track can run down the link road, which will be traffic calmed with a 20mph limit, then connect with the existing track behind Marina Drive. Hardly a suitable solution but then designing a proper cycle track would cost the developer money!

The design, especially along the link road, will not be easy on the eye. It seems bland, uninspiring, monotonous and insipid.

LAND BETWEEN 47 & 49 PRINCESS GARDENS.

Deferred. Due to the Conservative administration at WWDC relaxing the requirement to provide affordable housing in villages, developers no longer have to make a financial contribution if they want to build only one house. The planning committee has made it very clear that they don't like the situation and, on this occasion, it was one step too far for them. The matter will be looked at again in three weeks time.