It has been around four years since Wiltshire Council embarked on a community area neighbourhood plan based on Royal Wootton Bassett, Cricklade and various parishes. Although it was argued at the time that this would not be appropriate, Wiltshire Council continued to pursue this idea, even when Royal Wootton Bassett, Cricklade and a couple of parishes dropped out after a few months. By the time it came to designate the area, it was reduced to a few parishes who were artificially called the North East Wiltshire Villages, even though they had little in common.
Purton is ready with a neighbourhood plan but is held back by the other parishes, some have partial plans and one has not even started, after three years.
So, Purton has now elected to go on its own in order to get a plan in place without further delay, an essential defence when faced with inappropriate housing proposals. Having one’s own neighbourhood plan indicates where and what housing is beneficial to the people of Purton.
Before the plan can come out to consultation, the area (the parish) must be officially designated. The consultation is available here. Click on Purton Neighbourhood Area Designation, this will take you to a page where you can comment (Start Survey) and you will also be able to see other peoples comments. Supporting this designation is the first step in helping to put the brake on inappropriate development, and in helping to shape the future housing of Purton.
The consultation is open from today until 5pm on Wednesday 10 August 2016
