Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

A blow for common sense - but off to appeal, no doubt.
As previously reported, there was some confusion about where the site was legally located. We were initially told that it was in Steeple Ashton parish, so Steeple Ashton parish council gave the application a lot of attention and produced a detailed analysis of potential problems it might generate. However we were then informed that the site was mostly in Trowbridge, with with a small part in Hilperton.

Planning officers recommended permission subject to a legal agreement to secure affordable housing, contributions towards education and sports provision, highway and drainage improvements. The developers would also have to make a contribution towards the Hilperton Gap road, which currently seems to be on 'hold' as Persimmon Homes show no sign of developing their 'East of Trowbridge' site.

48 local people had submitted objections to the application for various reasons, including the impact on the amenity of existing residents, disruption during construction, flooding, and inadequate local services. Many of them attended the meeting to explain their objections to the committee.

The application was refused for two reasons - that it was premature because the infrastructure of schools and roads required to service the development was not yet in place, and that access for construction traffic through the existing estate roads was dangerous and represented too great a loss of amenity to existing residents.

Voting aginst the application was unanimous and I (and I'm sure Trevor and Cllr. Fortescue) would like to thank the committee members for their support and listening to the reasoned arguments put forward against the application.

The committee report that members considered can be found at page 62 of this link.