In August 2010 Wainhomes submitted a full application (10/03055/FUL) extending the housing provision in their applications for Brynards Hill from 100 to 150 homes largely taking up the northern area of the site previously allocated as 'Country Park' in their applications 870 & 871. This new application was open to consultation until 16th September 2010 via the Wiltshire Council web site (seeWhat Can I Do? for link). Full details of the Application can be found at http://planning.northwilts.gov.uk/DCOnline/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=72390 In order to allow interested parties to easily compare the plans of the extended proposal with the original and note the loss of 'Country Park' extent and the loss of established hedgerows, extracts of the Wainhomes applications are available below for viewing or download (.jpg format). WB4BH reviewed the application and further information and some views are given in the key points document in the downloads below. Wiltshire Council refused this application on 4 November 2010 - full details are at Grounds for refusal included:
In Dec 2010 Wainhomes launched the inevitable appeal. Details can be found on the above link. Wainhomes make much play of the draft 2026 Core Strategy and 'strategic' considerations. For information on how to make your views known please see the 'comments letter' in the attachments below. It is most appropriate that this appeal has been launched in the season of good cheer, with Wainhomes' fences and barbed wire continuing to defile the temporary 'Country Park' section of Brynards Hill. This has resulted in denial of use of the traditional slope for the toboganning that would have taken place over the weekend of the 18th/19th Dec 2010 and the remainder of the school holidays. This fence should act as a constant reminder of the nature of Wainhomes' aspirations for Brynards Hill. The Public Inquiry was held in early April 2011 at the Council Offices, Monkton Park Chippenham from 10:00am and lasted for 4 days. Full details in the download below. Regrettably, in mid May 2011 the Inspector upheld Wainhomes' appeal and granted planning permission for the 50 more houses on land which was, albeit briefly, part of the 'Country Park'. The development area will extend very close to the Interface site boundary. This results in permissions to date for a total development of 150 houses on Brynards Hill. It is no coincidence that 150 is the number of houses mentioned in the draft 2026 Core Strategy document, which, as of May 2011, has never been adopted and, with respect to selection of Brynards Hill as the preferred strategic site for Wootton Bassett, attracted much challenge. Thus Wiltshire Council's document was used by both Wainhomes and the Inspector to undermine the Council's Inquiry position and their original determination! The Inspector rejected concerns over landscape, dismissing the Council's evidence as flawed since the baseline for assessment should have been the projected spoilt appearance resulting form the 100 house development! No account was taken of the closure of RAF Lyneham. The Wiltshire Council Strategy background paper confirms the obvious - that substantial numbers of current Bassett residents are dependent on Lyneham. Closure could result in a local housing surplus in the immediate future. The Inspector's full reasoning can be viewed or downloaded below (filename 214906_DECISION ....). There appears to have been no movement on the 'Country Park' provision as of May 2011. The fence lines topped with barbed wire at child eye height still scar the slopes. WB4BH will remain on the look out for the expected additional annexation of the 'Country Park' land allocation which will further erode the public amenity value of the remnants of Brynards Hill open space. |
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Wainhomes 50 more houses |
