Issue - meetings

                 Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for MCI, Economic Development, Heritage, Arts, Tourism and Health & Wellbeing presented the report which provided an update to members on the progress reached on the Future Chippenham programme, seek a decision on the preferred road route for the distributor road, set out in Appendix A and informed Cabinet of the required next steps in the project to ensure appropriate strategies and delegations are in place to ensure smooth and efficient progress.

The Leader outlined the background to the Future Chippenham programme and progress following Cabinet decisions in October 2020 and 29 June 2021 and the subsequent signing of the Grant Determination Agreement (GDA) for Housing Infrastructure Funding (HIF) with Homes England in December 2020. He explained that a separate consultation by Future Chippenham on potential road route options took place between 15January 2021 and 12 March 2021 and a preferred route has been identified. During the consultation important feedback was received and informed the recommended road route option. In addition, it was acknowledged a large representation of responses were received objecting to the scheme on the grounds of quantum, transport issues, climate change and environmental issues.

The Cabinet noted that there is a need for the Future Chippenham programme to respond in an appropriate way to the feedback received during its consultation on the road route options as well as to the Local Planning Authority’s consultation on the Local Plan review and the obligations under the GDA. The benefits of both the funding and the ability to deliver infrastructure led development are clear and remain an important consideration to deliver housing within the county and provide a stimulus for growth and regeneration for communities within Wiltshire.

It was noted that the Council leadership requested further consideration be given to these matters and a programme review and assurance exercise has been conducted and identified some significant risks to the delivery of the whole scheme. The detail was described in the report.

There was an impact on the potential ability for the current whole scheme to be delivered on time and in budget. However, the review has identified an opportunity to develop an alternative approach to deliver a significant and important part of the scheme that meets the principal strategic objectives and benefits for the town centre and residents of Chippenham. In addition, the  alternative approach supports the delivery of a significant housing requirement but with a reduction in the quantum that aligns with the current Local Plan period and leaves the decision on growth beyond that to a future date.

Many Statements and questions were received in relation to this item, copies of which can be found in Supplement 1 at this link to the agenda page for the meeting.

The following members of the public attended the meeting to expand further on their statements and questions:

·       Mel Boyle

·       Helen Stride

·       Steve Perry

·       Tony Wright

The Leader acknowledged that all questions had received a written response which had been published  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43