TIMES: CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Chippenham's livestock market may only have six months left to find a new site.

The market could have to leave its base in Cocklebury Road in April to make way for the proposed £11.6m Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office and Heritage Centre.

Plans for the centre are now being considered by North Wiltshire District Council and have already received the thumbs-up from Chippenham Town Council.

If there are no further complications Wiltshire County Council hopes to start building work in April.

This has increased pressure on the threatened market as the only alternative site proposed so far is caught up in red tape. Even if that gets the go-ahead, the market would not be able to reopen immediately.

District council executive member for regeneration, Christine Reid said: "Unless a new site is found soon, Wiltshire could lose its only livestock market, farmers' costs will increase and more than 1,000 animals a week will suffer long road journeys.

"This would be a serious blow to the beleaguered farming industry and animal welfare."

The new record office facility, which has itself been dogged by controversy, would mean the market lost its administration building and hardstanding area for cattle. Cllr Reid said this would make it extremely difficult for the market to operate.

She said: "Work to clear the site will begin shortly and the county council wants to start work on the record office as soon as possible after that."

Berkshire-based developer Frogmore has proposed a new market just off junction 17 of the M4 in Stanton St Quintin. But because it is a greenfield site this would need special planning permission.

Cllr Reid said: "To make the venture financially viable, the site may also need a vets' practice and perhaps agricultural machinery sales.

"I have brought the matter up at the Regional Development Agency and I hope to get them to encourage the Government Office for the South West to look favourably on Frogmore's application."

Weekly meetings are taking place at North Wiltshire District Council to solve the crisis and negotiations are ongoing with Frogmore and current market operator Premier Livestock.

Cllr Reid said: "We're doing all we can, but even if all goes smoothly, the market will have to close for at least a year while the site is cleared unless it can find a temporary home."