New cattle market plan near to the M4

Frogmore Investments has submitted an outline plan to build a livestock market, along with ancillary buildings such as a caf and offices, on a site in the open countryside, with access off the B4122.

But the district council has to weigh up the needs of the farming community for a market and the implications of development in open countryside.

Premier Livestock operates a market at Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, on a month by month basis, and once development of the site gets underway it will have to leave.

David Lane, of David Lane Associates, working with Frogmore, said he appreciated the dilemma facing planners but stressed the facility was vital for the farming community.

"To be fair to the council it is in open countryside," he said.

"But this is an ideal location because it is close to the motorway and the site is away from people."

Mr Lane said they were still negotiating with the district council planning department about the details of the application, and an environmental impact assessment had been requested.

"We are hopeful of a favourable outcome," he said.

Mr Lane said good road access was vital for the livestock market with animals transported by large articulated lorries as well as farmers using their own vehicles.

He said Premier was on board with their plans for the M4 site but admitted the district council had concerns.

"They do have reservations but we are trying to address these issues," he said.

Mr Lane declined to say how much the new livestock market might cost to build but agreed it would be a substantial amount. If all goes to plan and permission is granted, Chippenham could have a new livestock market within 12 to 18 months.

Peter Kingwill, market director for Premier, said they supported the plans and he was grateful they had longer on the Cocklebury Road site in the meantime.

"It's given us more time and the district council more income, with us using that site," he said.

"The time will come when things have to be sorted out.

"If Frogmore get consent for planning that will give us a timetable, which will be useful for the district council as well, so we can make a smooth transition from one site to another."

Coun Toby Sturgis, who has links with the farming community and is a member of the development control committee, said he had not looked at this application yet.

He said, however, that generally he supported the idea of a new livestock market near the M4.

He said a livestock market was a special case because it would not normally be built on an industrial park or in an area of housing.

He said the new facility was desperately needed by the farming community.

"You have to look for the best site for animal welfare," he said.

"It's not good for the animals to be transported long distances to get to markets.

"I haven't seen the planning application but I am in favour of having a livestock market somewhere in north Wiltshire."

The livestock market was historically held in the town centre but then moved to the Cocklebury Road site in 1952.

The 12-acre site is owned by North Wiltshire District Council.

It is due for redevelopment, and it is hoped it will be the site of the new Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office which will replace the present record office in Trowbridge. The plan also includes housing on the site.