Petition - Preferred Option for Chippenham Under Wiltshire 2026 Plan
‘To receive a petition with 1,044 signatories opposing the preferred option for Chippenham under the Wiltshire 2026 Plan.
Details of the petition and petition speech are attached together with the response from the Service Director for Economy and Enterprise.
Minutes:
The Chairman reported receipt of two petitions on the same issue, the Preferred Option for Chippenham under the Wiltshire 2026 Plan.
The first petition organised by John Palmer, Peter Humphrey and Kim Stuckey was presented by John Palmer, details of which were presented. Mr Palmer addressed Council on his petition which urged the Council to reconsider its preferred option for Chippenham. He added that if the Council insisted on making provision for housing in Chippenham, it should be in the South of the Town where the road infrastructure already existed and the environmental impact would be lessened.
The second petition was presented by Elizabeth Kennedy with specific reference to the Birds Marsh area. The petition urged the Council to retain the open space for the enjoyment and preservation of wildlife.
There were 2,009 signatories to the petitions collectively.
Cllr Brady, Cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and Housing responded to the petitions. He explained that the 2026 Plan was in the early stages of examining the responses to the consultation. He assured the petitioners that their representations would be taken seriously and would be considered as part of the responses to the consultation.
Resolved:
That the petition be received and noted referred to Cllr Brady, Cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and Housing to consider as part of the consultation responses to the 2026 Plan.