Tuesday 7th February 2023
An anonymous correspondent, writes:
In 2014 there were concerns regarding flooding and the impact on wildlife which was part of the opposition to the Spurt Mead development as well as it not being in the Core Strategy and outside the settlement line.
At the same time there were comments that both the Town Council and Wiltshire Council failed to comply with requirements for Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plans and they also didn’t have any historic data for a site/area known to flood.
Backhouse (the developer) will fight their corner but they have been allowed to destroy a SSSI area and what strange thinking that a river platform for residents will bring in wildlife. It will be too noisy and the area has been destroyed, so any gesture is rather empty.
In 2019/2020 Backhouse stated that there were going to be 10 affordable houses. There appears to be no mention of how to acquire one or if they are still part of the development?
This site should stand out as an example of bad Council decisions and ill-judged development which should never have been allowed. To destroy an area of biodiversity and then state hedges have been planted is just a typical development statement trying to show that they have done something positive. We await another bout of destruction at Damask Way Ph.2 or will Wiltshire Council abide by their Climate Strategy?