GAZETTE & HERALD: An ambitious master plan setting out the rebirth of Cocklebury South in Chippenham as a flag ship of environmentally friendly housing and new employment will be put before North Wiltshire District Council's Executive tonight.

The development statement and master plan, covering the former livestock market and land to the south of Cocklebury Road, was drawn up by district council planners in a bid to outline future aspirations for the area and members will be asked to approve the plans as development control guidance.

David Stirling, team leader, design and estates, said they hoped to have a contract signed with the as yet undisclosed developer for the livestock market site and along with the new Wiltshire History Centre and the redevelopment of the southern side of the road, the area will enjoy a new lease of life.

But not everything in the garden is rosy, according to ward district councillor and Monkton Park Coun Philip Allnatt.

"The master plan will give us far greater strength to refuse piecemeal development on the various sites along the road, particularly Hartwells and Wiltshire College.

"But I am sceptical about the impact on the highway network. Housing could increase by more than a third, and we will have the Wiltshire History Centre and I am really concerned about the lack of progress on creating a second road access."

The master plan was conceived following an application by Hartwell PLC for planning permission for new homes on its site in Cocklebury Road, which was turned down because members of the development control committee wanted to see the bigger picture how this development would fit in with other sites along the road.

The master plan also indicates how the livestock market site will look, with around 250 houses and the new history centre, and how the Hartwell, ATS and parcels of Wiltshire College land could be redeveloped in future.

The district council could also play a role in helping these landowners work together to combine their interests so they could sell their land for comprehensive redevelopment.

Mr Stirling said ATS and Wiltshire College were considering selling off land for development, though GD Fencing, another landowner along the road, seemed content to stay where they were, having made a significant investment in the site.

To the south of the road the master plan sets out the route of an access road to new housing and about 76 housing units.

Land has been set aside for a new road access over the railway but Mr Stirling said the flyover, which would cost around £5million, would be the last element to be added.

"In the short term, links from north to south will be improved for cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge will be the last piece, perhaps 15 years down the line.

Wiltshire College is looking to sell off its restaurant and hairdressing salon site along Cocklebury Road, but its sports fields are not included in the development brief.

High standards of environmental friendliness have been demanded of the developers for housing on the four-hectare livestock market site even though this means a slightly lower price would be realised.

"This will be a flagship development the first eco friendly estate in North Wiltshire and one of the first in the country," said Mr Stirling.

Public consultation will take place on the livestock market development before the planning application.