Our response to the Local Plan
The Trust’s Planning Committee responded to consultation on the Wiltshire Local Plan: Planning for Bradford on Avon/September 2023
The Trust was pleased to have been consulted by Wiltshire Council. We were generally supportive of the document but had several specific concerns.
We were pleased that most sites for housing were discounted at the final stage of a previous consultation, and that future housing development is in reserve with an overall reduction in numbers - not least because of the lack of infrastructure in the town to support additional housing. We support housing development on small infill sites. The only site in reserve for future housing development is the former golf course.
The golf course is unlikely to be ideal, or even viable, for future housing development due to the lack of an acceptable access route (either through the existing housing estate or on the track adjacent to the Widbrook end). There are significant issues of contaminated land and worries that contamination will leach into the river because it is a former landfill site. Our preferred option would be to keep it as an area of green open land. We queried whether any future proposal might include the whole site or whether it would be the upper area of the site close to the existing houses away from the land adjacent to the river. The long-term use of the site without remediation, given the potential for contamination, is a significant concern.
There must be greater emphasis within the final document about the unique historic architecture, townscape and landscape setting of the town, which is intrinsic to its character. Biodiversity and the importance of the Green Belt and Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are significant constraints. It must be emphasised that Bradford on Avon has an extensive Conservation Area with many listed buildings both within and beyond the historic town centre.
The document failed to address transport issues. It skipped over traffic problems that blight the town centre and create hazards for pedestrians. The document failed to address the need for another pedestrian crossing over the river for which there is no ideal or agreed position. We stressed the need for pedestrian safety and that all options, including those previously rejected, should be considered to improve safety for those on foot. This exercise could be combined with other measures to give pedestrians priority as well as improving air quality.
Facilitating future development in Trowbridge and other towns will increase traffic towards and through Bradford. Proposed industrial development in Trowbridge will exacerbate the traffic situation and will result in more deliveries, lorries and local traffic passing through Bradford. Whatever scheme is chosen for the future to alleviate the traffic problems and improve pedestrian safety, the importance of the historic townscape must be recognised and not harmed.
We acknowledged that parking can be a problem in the town centre and supported the Station car park being defined as an Area of Opportunity. There are massive demands on parking and any changes to increase parking provision may be acceptable. Redevelopment of the Health Centre might even be an option.
We were concerned that there has been, and continues to be, a significant loss of employment space. The balance between housing, retail and employment sites is important if the vitality of the town centre is to be preserved and to ensure sustainability for the future by reducing the need to travel.
Rosie MacGregor, Chair, Planning Committee
