(The views reflected on this page do not neccessarily reflect the those of Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones)

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“I understand that during your campaigning, you have been telling your audiences that the number of houses to be built in Chippenham, and their location, has been determined by the Conservative administration in Wiltshire council.

We are all aware that Liberal Democrat candidates, at election times, distort policy, ignore facts and become economical with the truth, but I am surprised that you have sunk to this level of deceit.

You know perfectly well that the proposed number of houses to be built in Chippenham is a requirement of the present government and that the council has not yet given their recommendation as to the locality in which they will be built. You also know, from your attendance at council meetings, that we have consulted with residents and, following their submissions, intend to consult further before any proposal is put forward for public inspection. And you also know that the whole exercise will be abolished in the event of a Conservative government following the election and greater power given to local authorities and local residents in these matters.

Perhaps in these last days of electioneering, you will adopt a policy of greater integrity and stick to facts rather than fiction and discontinue misleading the public for personal gain.”

We then went on to Bird’s Marsh where I was delighted to share the news from Wiltshire Council that there is to be further consultation before any decisions to build on Bird’s Marsh are taken.  I am delighted to have been able to help the situation and ensure that people in Chippenham are listened to.

After visiting Lackham College, I went on to help plant trees at Fitzmaurice Primary School, in Bradford on Avon as part of the Trees for Schools project in conjunction with Mark Wilkinson furniture.

The evening was then spent at St Andrew’s Church, Chippenham for a hustings event where again, I made sure the audience got to ask the questions!

Thank you to all the volunteers out today helping across the constituency.

This follows the ongoing work between myself and Wiltshire Council to ensure the views of Chippenham residents are heard.

A copy of Wiltshire Council’s press release on Bird’s Marsh can be read by clicking here

This follows the ongoing work between myself and Wiltshire Council to ensure the views of Chippenham residents are heard.

A copy of Wiltshire Council’s press release on Bird’s Marsh can be read by clicking here

I met Andrew Murrison over lunch to highlight the location of the new boundary in Paxcroft Mead to try and clarify any confusion caused in last week’s Wiltshire Times.

I was also delighted to receive the update from Jane Scott, Leader of Wiltshire Council, that further consultation will be carried out before decisions on building new homes around Chippenham are taken.  If elected, I will be able to work even closer with the Council to ensure my constituents’ views are listened to.

Bob explained in detail what a Conservative Government would do with regards to planning. There is a full report online from the Gazette and Herald here

Following the debate in Council about future housing in Chippenham, Jane Scott, leader of the council, has issued the following statement to clarify the current situation.

“We are consulting in accordance with government guidelines which have to be followed about the possible location of housing in Wiltshire – the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

The Cabinet of Wiltshire Council agreed to this consultation being carried out but has not discussed the number of houses or proposed locations.

It is very important that anybody who has any concerns about proposals in this document should comment and provide evidence in support or opposition to the proposals.

Whilst we are still processing responses to the consultation, early indications suggest that an additional consultation will need to be undertaken in the Chippenham area, prior to the publication of the Draft Core Strategy and the final draft going to the Examination in Public.

If the council does not follow the guidance from the government, the Inspector can dismiss the proposals.  This would leave a development guidance vacuum with the risk of sites being chosen by developers, rather than Wiltshire Council, thereby ignoring the views of local people to the detriment of Chippenham in the longer term.

The above is, of course, dependent on the Regional Spatial Strategy remaining in place which allocates the housing growth for Wiltshire and the rest of the South West.  However, should there be a change of government in the months ahead, it is likely that a new process will take place to allow the number of houses to be built, and their location, to be determined more locally”.

There are far wider questions that need resolving about future development in and around Chippenham. The number of houses planned is being dictated by Westminster not Wiltshire.

The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) has been imposed on Wiltshire Council from our Labour government. A Conservative government plan to abolish the RSS and return planning powers to local authorities.

The change in the economic climate has left many assumptions the Core Strategy, the document dictating number and location of houses, was built upon as outdated. Questions must be asked to whether Chippenham has the jobs and infrastructure to support such population growth.

Until such time as the RSS is abolished, Chippenham has to build 3650 new homes by 2026 as this is a Labour government target. It is vital residents understand that Wiltshire Council are only abiding by current legislation in identifying potential sites for these homes. For these planning decisions to be taken fully by local councillors requires the Core Strategy to be replaced with local decision taking.

A reversal of the RSS is the only way to ensure that communities, like our own in Chippenham, have the power to ensure future housing developments meet our needs, not a specified formula from Westminster. This debate about building around Chippenham cannot be resolved locally, it requires a change of government nationally – and that can be influenced here in Chippenham.

Waste collections have been disrupted. Jane explained how many of the waste teams have been using four by four vehicles to reach elderly residents. The elderly have been given a higher priority, quite rightly, than bin collections. She also stressed that if black bags are left out alongside bins they will be collected.

I also met with Councillor Dick Tonge (Corsham Without and Box Hill) who explained how when the weather improved there is more work to do filling pot holes and clearing grit from the drains.

A video of my meeting with Jane can be found in the videos section on this website here