Category: EBBRAG (formerly EBRAG)

Monday 24th June 2013

The Committee of EBRAG (the East Boreham Residents Action Group) have just issued their latest update, with regards their fight against the residential development (320 houses) of Home Farm, Boreham, Warminster ~

EBRAG’s successful public meeting held in St. John’s Church, Boreham, in April 2013, was another excellent show of continued community opposition towards the speculative proposal to develop Home Farm. Very positive feedback was received by email and telephone following the meeting. 

The Hallam Land Management proposal was explained by Nick Parker at the meeting, with EBRAG actions highlighted, before two councillors Andrew Davis and Fleur de Rhe-Philipe (and also one standing for election – Paul Macdonald – later elected) took to the floor to answer questions, explaining that their response must be restrained due to the impending elections. Their input generated much discussion, which was welcome. EBRAG, on behalf of the community, has thanked them for their attendance and for contributing to the evening.

The Planning Inspector continues with his examination of the Wiltshire Council Core Strategy for development of residential housing to 2026. Members of EBRAG have attended recent examination hearings, where Wiltshire Council Planning Department are robustly defending their plan. Developers are arguing that the Wiltshire Council plan to build 39,000 houses (11,500 affordable), supported by infrastructure and employment opportunities will not meet the needs of Wiltshire by 2026, therefore the plan is not sound and the Inspector needs to increase housing numbers to at least 45,000+. Wiltshire Council maintain the plan is consistent with national policy, the forecast requirement for housing is reducing from that previously calculated and any increase above the figure proposed by Wiltshire Council will not be sustainable. In addition, an increase will have significant impact on supporting infrastructure, the surrounding environment and is not required. EBRAG represented formally against Wiltshire Council’s criteria to assess the suitability of Home Farm land for development. 

Of interest the Warminster plan will be examined by the Inspector in Trowbridge on Thursday 11th July 2013 starting at 0930hrs. Anyone requiring further information can visit the Wiltshire Council website or phone the mobile number below. The Inspectors findings and observations on the Wiltshire Council plan are likely to be published in September 2013, however it is anticipated that there may be some delay.

As part of their defence against increased housing numbers, Wiltshire Council have stated that they are very keen on the local community taking control of development through Neighbourhood Plans. 

Warminster Town Council are considering developing a Neighbourhood Plan and EBRAG believe that this should be be a priority. A Neighbourhood Plan would allow the community of Warminster to decide the type and location of future housing. More importantly the people of Warminster will have an input in the monitoring of the local services improvements that the Wiltshire Core Strategy has stated are required to support the 900 houses on the Warminster West Urban extension. Without a Neighbourhood Plan, it will be left to Wiltshire Council and Persimmon/Hannick to decide on the provision of local shops, play areas, doctors’ surgeries, the Kingdown School extension and the host of other changes that Warminster requires to support this large increase in the population of Warminster.

A community led application to seek Village Green status for the Home Farm land immediately behind the Dene has been submitted to Wiltshire Council. The deadline for comment has now passed and the review on the application has commenced. A recent letter in the Warminster Journal, with name and address withheld, accused EBRAG of “stealing” the land and therefore the loss of the authors sympathy towards “loss of views for those surrounding Home Farm”. Unfortunately the author failed to comment on how the proposal to build 320 houses at maximum density on prime agricultural land, for the profit of the land owners and development company only, would benefit the infrastructure and local community! This application, although fully supported by EBRAG, has actually been instigated by the community, mainly residents of the Dene, based on their communal use of the land over many years. If successful, the application will preserve the use of the land by local residents for recreational pursuits.

The EBRAG committee still requires input from any persons with expertise or interest in archaeology and if any one has some time to help, it will be gratefully received. 

The EBRAG website and social pages continued to attract attention, with the website now exceeding 1,000 hits since the counter was installed in the spring. 

The Planning Consultant, hired to advise on the Core Strategy, has submitted an excellent document for consideration by the Inspector and EBRAG now has access to further professionals when required.

The EBRAG committee continue to meet regularly and welcome input, comments, help and advice. There will be a further EBRAG update after the examination of the Warminster plan by the Inspector on Thursday 11th July 2013.

EBRAG Committee ~ telephone 07801-815463

Friday 22nd February 2013

Wiltshire Core Strategy Pre-Hearing Meeting, 28th February 2013

At the first East Boreham Residents’ Action Group (EBRAG) General Meeting, held in St. John’s Church, in November 2012, the community was encouraged to write to Wiltshire Council (WC), expressing concern over residential development of Home Farm and offering support for the future Warminster development plans written by WC.

These plans are called the Core Strategy and exclude Home Farm’s land from future development, suggesting instead that all development should occur to the west of town in the area previously agreed.

In the next few months the Core Strategy will be reviewed by a Planning Inspector, who will examine the content and make a judgement, probably at the end of the year, on whether the plans should be adopted.

All those who wrote to WC should have received a letter of email from WC stating that the Wiltshire Core Strategy Pre-Hearing Meeting will take place on 28th February 2013 at the Civic Centre, Trowbridge. At this meeting, the inspector will explain the examination procedure and the content of the subsequent hearings. It has been brought to the attention of EBRAG that there is some understandable confusion amongst those who have received this letter as to what their role is and whether they should attend.

To clarify: EBRAG committee members plan to attend this meeting in order to monitor what format the examination will take, to listen to the inspector’s view on possible issues for future developments in Warminster and any arguments against the strategy being put forward. This is purely a procedural meeting and the public, although very welcome to attend, will only be allowed to ask questions relating to the procedure for the enquiry and overall Core Strategy issues to be examined. Therefore, unless members of the community have a genuine interest, they should not feel obliged to attend this meeting.

The formal hearings on the Core Strategy for Warminster will take place some time during May / June 2013 and it is at this point that EBRAG may make formal representations to the examination. At this meeting members of the community are encouraged to attend and EBRAG will advise details beforehand of dates and venues. 

Following next Thursday’s pre-hearing meeting, EBRAG will distribute another newsletter with more detailed information on what, if any, the issues for Warminster are and all future relevant dates, including the examination on the website: www.ebrag.org.uk

Saturday 12th January 2013

Latest news on the ‘Stop The Development at Home Farm, Boreham’ Campaign, from EBRAG, courtesy of Nick Parker ~

Happy New Year to you all.

EBRAG is continuing its campaign to prevent the proposed development of Home Farm by Hallam Land Management, on behalf the land owners, by:

Raising awareness to a wider community through a combined local, regional and national media campaign and by distributing 1700 flyers in Dec to East Warminster and local villages.

 Opening EBRAG website: www.ebrag.org.uk 

Continuing to gather and collate all relevant information to fight the proposal.

Attending and speaking at various town council and county area board planning meetings.

Continuing to meet and discuss our concerns with a wide group of interested bodies, including our local MP, Dr Andrew Murrison, who is publically very supportive.

EBRAG has decided to seek professional help to draw together into coherent argument the vast amount of information gathered and provide a legal framework from which to fight this speculative proposal. Unfortunately fees will require payment. As such, there is therefore a need to create a “fighting fund’. While a challenging time of year to fundraise, it is something that we must begin now.

Any contribution you may wish to make can be made through a Bank Transfer or by cheque made payable to EBRAG and sent to any committee member. Alternatively you can contribute via the EBRAG website through PayPal, although PayPal do deduct a percentage fee from your contribution. If you need advice or wish to discuss please contact me on 07801-815463. The amount of any individual contribution will remain anonymous. Any surplus funds remaining after the dissolution of EBRAG will be given or transferred to charitable institutions that share the same aims in protecting our rural heritage.

In addition, we aim to start a petition campaign as soon as possible. Volunteers will shortly be making house calls gathering signatures; anyone willing to assist please contact Trish Thompson, 01985-217238, twooldthompos@me.com or through the web site at info@ebrag.org.uk If you wish to donate cash, our volunteers will be happy to collect it from you then.

EBRAG is also very keen to hear from any professional who can assist with the campaign – especially those who can provide advice directly and/or those with further contacts capable of raising awareness and keeping our concerns in the public eye. I have attached the latest poster for those wishing to display it.

There will be a further public meeting in early spring (for those separately notified, the meeting on Thurs 24 Jan 13 is cancelled). We will inform you of the date and venue as soon as they are confirmed.

Meanwhile, please continue to write to MPs, Town and Wiltshire Councillors, Wiltshire Planning Department, the press – local and national – as well as the many authorities, bodies and organisations affected by this proposal. It is imperative the communities concerns and continued opposition are kept foremost in everyone’s mind. EBRAG believes we are representing local community opinion and therefore rely on your continued support, help, advice and views. Please also continue to pass on local information relating to this proposal, much so far has been invaluable.

Nick Parker – Phone 07801-815463