NOW that Lyneham will soon cease to exist as a military airfield a once in a lifetime opportunity becomes available to turn the whole area into a new town.

This development would take much of the pressure off various Wiltshire towns destined to be spoiled by the huge number of houses required to meet the dictates of central government.

Housing estates are usually built on green fields on the outskirts of towns and are constructed without due attention to the need for local shops, schools and medical facilities etc.

It also seems to be forgotten by the planners that for every new house built at least one extra car is brought into an area to worsen the already chronic traffic and parking problems in towns such as Devizes. Population increases necessitate additional medical facilities whereas illogically current inadequate facilities are actually being reduced. A new town at Lyneham could deal efficiently with most of these problems.

Although the RAF may not completely vacate the area for several years planning for a new town to replace the present establishment could well take ten years or longer and therefore should be initiated as soon as possible. Much of the present roads, water supply, drainage and other services could be reused and extended as the new town develops.

Many of the existing buildings and workshops could be adapted or converted for local industries and businesses.

Hopefully this letter might initiate discussions on how to make best use of a unique opportunity for a major development.

DEREK PARKER

Devizes