Tuesday 1st November 2022
Graham Benjamin, who lives at 2 Norridge View, Warminster, writes:
I wish to express concern about the way in which the developers are treating local residents now that work has started on the access road for the proposed but not yet approved development on the land north of Grovelands Way.
The developer has, despite publishing a footpath access map, blocked access to a public owned bridge and when this blockage was brought to the attention of the site manager his response was “that was published when we were trying to engage with local residents, now we have access to the site we don’t need to.”
I attended the Wain Homes consultation meeting earlier this year where it was stated that they would ensure any works would protect the environment – this, as yet, has proven to be far from the case. Vast areas of the land are now enclosed with six feet high metal fencing; footpaths which previously crossed open fields are now one metre wide tracks; and in places the paths where crossed by large vehicles used by contractors are impassable due to the depth of the track marks. Ancient hedges have been badly damaged in the course of the works, including on public land. I question how wildlife that previously roamed freely in this area will be able to move around in the current situation, if ever again.
It is clear that the former owner of the land is sitting pretty counting his money, having sold out to an unscrupulous developer who cares little for the environment and little for the views of local residents.