Councillors oppose Chippenham plans for 230 new homes

Detailed plans for the design of the major residential development, off the B4069 between Chippenham and Langley Burrell, were submitted by Barratt and David Wilson Homes in July.

This follows outline approval for the scheme, which will also include a pub and takeaway, last year.

The details of these commercial aspects will be revealed in a separate application.

In the meantime, Chippenham Town Council has urged Wiltshire Council to reject the proposal over multiple issues with the designs.

In particular, councillors echoed the fears of residents that the lack of existing community services in the area would pose major problems if a proposed local centre was not prioritised.

READ MORE: Chippenham congestion fears over major housing plans

The site of the proposed development in Chippenham (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Matthew Short said: “One of the things residents constantly say is, ‘we’re getting all the houses but where are the facilities?’

“I think conditioning the infrastructure and community facilities before occupation has taken place is really important.

“At what point do we trigger new healthcare facilities? What’s the threshold level where you look at these cumulative developments and say we need a new medical centre or GP centre?”

Cllr Conor Melvin added: “It really irritates me, we all know the problem with a lot of these plans is you don’t get the community infrastructure to go with it.

“I completely agree it should be built before anything is occupied.”

Councillors were also concerned about the lack of segregated cycle paths in the proposal and the safety of planned pedestrian crossings.

SEE ALSO: Latest on plans for 230 homes, pub and takeaway on edge of Wiltshire town

A CGI of the proposed Maud Avenue (Image: Barratt and David Wilson Homes)

Cllr Nick Murry said: “I think we should object to it on all those grounds, I think the really key one is the segregated cycle ways.

“I think it’s in everybody's interest and it is a requirement under the guidance.

“The second one is the crossings, to propose uncontrolled crossings with 40mph and 50mph roads when you’ve got all this development pouring through.”

Responding to concerns over the plans, a Barratt spokesperson said: “The development at Barrow Farm received planning permission from Wiltshire Council in May 2023.

"The planning committee made their decision based on a range of factors including suitability, sustainability, local traffic impacts, visual impacts, heritage, and biodiversity.

"Our development will feature 230 sustainable and energy-efficient homes, with 40 per cent being affordable.

"Together with new open spaces for people to enjoy, play areas for children and improvements to the highways network, it will significantly help young people and families struggling to enter the housing market in Chippenham.”