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”.

The ride was entirely impromptu, I was offered the chance by Phil and took it on the spot.

I was out of the streets of Chippenham answering locals’ questions about the proposed development at Bird’s Marsh ahead of the Council meeting in Trowbridge this Tuesday. I have called for cross party co-operation to ensure Bird’s Marsh is preserved. The most important thing is that Chippenham gets the houses it needs in the places they are needed without damaging the fabric of the town. Chippenham needs consulting before areas such as Bird’s Marsh are damaged forever.

Local residents have been misled by certain individuals who have resorted to underhand and dishonest campaigning. I have therefore appealed to all local parties to work together to ensure that we get the right long term development plan for Chippenham.

Local Councillor, Peter Hutton, who also answered residents’ concerns on Chippenham High St at the weekend said “I have been working hard within the council to ensure that Birds’ Marsh is protected. So I was very concerned and annoyed that some individuals were claiming that the Council had plans to do otherwise”.

A Conservative government would abolish the Regional Spatial Strategy which is dictating the current discussions about house numbers and hand planning powers back from Westminster to Wiltshire.