You could be forgiven that the draft Deregulation Bill (the one that is about removing so-called red tape for businesses) has little significance for neighbourhood planning. Not so. Tucked away in a little corner (page 31 para 187) is a “repeal of duty to prepare sustainable community strategy“. In essence, this is about modifying the Local Government Act 2000 to delete section 4 so that local authorities (such as Wiltshire Council) are no longer required to prepare sustainable community strategies. This makes no sense, on the one hand
Local
Widham Farm ~ Talking Points
Widham Farm is now going into its third day tomorrow (Tuesday 24th September 2013). This is the time for local people to come (Cricklade Town Hall at 09:30) to show solidarity with those presenting the case on behalf of Purton. If you wish to speak please register by 09:30 am. Even if just there to listen, it may still be possible to comment occasionally, as the Inspector often asks a general question to which any third party (that’s us) is able to respond. Below are some talking points to which […]
Widham Farm ~ begins soon
As previously mentioned, this inquiry is, unusually, being held in two locations. The first two days in Trowbridge and a third day in Cricklade. Typically, these appeals are heard in Chippenham so having a couple of days in Trowbridge is a bit of a trek. The planning inspectorate is being very tight-lipped about what might be discussed on any particular day, “it is up to the inspector on the day”. There is no guidance being given out though one assumes that the Cricklade day is more for local participation. In […]
Wiltshire Core Strategy ~ shaping our parish
As you may know, this strategy identifies (amongst other things) the preferred general location of housing in Wiltshire. The document is critical to the future shape of both Purton and Purton Stoke since our neighbourhood plan (which will comment on future housing in the parish) has to conform to the overall housing strategy argued in the core strategy. There has been a public examination of this strategy in front of a government-appointed planning inspector, and various modifications to the strategy are now out for consultation. All those concerned with the […]
Season of Surveys
Even while the ink is still drying on the parish plan (should be published soon) we have another survey inviting us to “tell us what matters to you”. The neighbourhood plan is kicking off with the usual exhortation to “let your views be known”. You can access the survey here. It begins quite imaginatively in that it asks us to imagine that the year is 2026. We are then asked to write a postcard from that date, as if all of the things that we would like to happen in […]
Widham Farm ~ next update
At this stage, usually the developer and the planning authority (Wiltshire Council) submit their “proofs of evidence”. These typically amount to 30 or so pages with perhaps separate ones for specific issues, often traffic or flooding, also around 30 or so pages. This time the developer has hit us with hundreds of pages of proofs of evidence, quite overwhelming. This is intentional, of course, and designed to swamp any objector. The proofs were released last Thursday and I have been going through them. I will issue a summary of key […]
Expansion of Composting at Mopes Lane
Composting is nominally a “good thing”, all things being equal. Unfortunately, the new application (13/01916/WCM) at Mopes Lane (technically at Parkgate Farm) to increase the composting tonnage to 50,000 tonnes per year comes at a cost. Since these extra tonnages are coming from the proposed tyre-shredding operation that never happened, it is also carrying over the additional Heavy Goods Vechicle movements from that proposal. This relentless increase in HGV movements is battering the local road feeding Mopes Lane, and carving up the verges. It is long overdue to call time […]
Widham Farm Appeal
With about four weeks notice, the date for the next Widham Farm Appeal is now set. It will be spread over three days; two at Trowbridge and, unusually a little closer to home, at Cricklade. The Trowbridge dates are 17 and 18 September and the Cricklade one is a week later on 24 September. As usual, each day begins at 10 am and if you want to speak then you have to register for this at 10 am on the day, even though you may not get called to speak […]
Going too fast?
A lot of people comment about speed. It is possible to re-designate streets. There is an opportunity to comment on the plan for Wiltshire Council’s Policy on 20 mph speed limits zones – before 21 September 2013. Wiltshire Council is seeking views on its draft policy for 20 mph speed restrictions. The draft policy covers both 20 mph zones and 20 mph speed limits and sets out the criteria to be used to identify and assess the locations where 20 mph restrictions could be introduced. The policy also sets out […]