CAMPAIGNERS against the Future Chippenham scheme have said they are "somewhat surprised and deeply disappointed" by the ruling

The programme is a proposed residential development to the south of the town, following a High Court hearing held on Thursday, May 26, in Cardiff.  

Yesterday Judge Milwyn Jarman, QC, ruled in favour of Wiltshire Council on all three counts after considering the arguments put forward by both parties.   

Court documents were originally served on the council on 20 October 2021 on the grounds that: 

  • The public should not have been excluded from part of the Cabinet meeting on 21 July 2021   
  • The council said that it would consult on the Concept Framework proposals and didn't   
  • The council failed to consult in a meaningful way on the final, abridged route to the south   

Wiltshire Council wants to build a ‘hybrid’ southern route of the Homes England-funded distributor road from the A350 to the A4. The road will be accompanied by over 4,000 houses.  

The claimant, Helen Stride, said on behalf of The Campaign Against Urban Sprawl to the South (of Chippenham): "We are somewhat surprised and, of course, deeply disappointed by today’s ruling. We are particularly surprised by the ruling regarding Ground 3 – The Cabinet’s failure to consult properly and meaningfully on the preferred route option.

"Determined that this must not be the end of our campaign, we have therefore instructed our barrister to apply for permission to appeal against the Judge’s decision regarding Ground 3. Given ongoing concerns about congestion and air quality in Chippenham, the current plan will only add to both."

Campaigners also said that "the Judge does not say that Wiltshire Council made good decisions, only that they were within their rights to decide as they did."

Helen added: "This court case has highlighted the strength of opposition to urban sprawl and greenfield housing development around Chippenham. There is now a large body of opposition to Wiltshire Council’s Future Chippenham proposal with supporters having donated over £25,000 to crowd-fund the legal work."

On the failed campaign, Helen said "it was worth it", and that the people in the community are determined to "fight on in spite of this one setback". 

"With the Wiltshire Local Plan Review coming up, there is everything to play for."