Well, as we draw 2013 to a close it has been a mixed year.
2014 is already promising to be another heavy one. Already we have developers lining up on Bradley’s Meadow for 50 houses, after the Inspector at the appeal said it would be off-limits. Hills are trying to make the temporary composting permission at Mopes Lane a permanent one and increase the tonnages and HGVs, and we can expect the developers for Land behind Jewels Ash, Land at Restrop Road and Widham Farm to be pushing the various merits of their locations during the neighbourhood planning process.
Even though Widham Farm was defeated at the appeal again, it is anticpated that the developer will lobby for its inclusion in the neighbourhood plan. They already have tried to get the settlement boundary (which restricts building outside the village proper) changed in the upcoming Wiltshire Core Strategy and even went as far as trying to get the village re-designated as a Large Service Centre (as Cricklade is) so that it is able to have more houses than merely for local need. We have to stay vigilant.
Although it was finally finished earlier this month, the Purton Parish Plan is not yet widely available, it is available here Purton Parish Plan.
A watchful new year and 2014 to you all…
