‘Development on the Downs beyond Barton Park – going ahead?’ – letter from Peter Morgan in response to Ian Mellor

Ian Mellor’s response to the ‘Diggers’ News item (26th Feb) protesting the innocence of all the works to the north of the College Fields/Barton Park area needs further comment.

Mr Mellor’s explanation of the current works may offer some immediate clarification as to who is digging the holes, but let us not be in any doubt of the intentions of the landowners (incl. the College) for the fields immediately to the north and west of the town. In the latest edition of the Local Plan (currently stalled as it is deemed flawed) the development area proposed for Barton Dene (site 3) sprawls beyond the Marlborough Town boundary and into Preshute parish and the National Landscape. It is perhaps also confusing to say the land behind College Fields and Barton Park (also National Landscape) is not being put forward for development. This is shown as proposed site 4. The landowners have been persistently trumpeting these areas for development over some 10 years despite fierce opposition and it is still there in the current (stalled) version of the Local Plan. The MANP only lists a shorter Barton Dene site within the town boundary. The College seem deaf to the potential reputational damage their promotion of further inappropriate development will have.

So, the ‘Diggers’ feature did not surprise me. It has traction in the level of residents’ concerns expressed to me in that there is a gulf between what they see and what they are being told.

The point that those championing the proposed developments need to take on board here is that every resident who has invested in a home in Marlborough and Manton is here because they identify the area as a special and charismatic place to live. And they too have a stake in the area’s future. If the charisma – and potentially, the value of their homes – evaporates because of inappropriate over-development, Marlborough’s future will look very bleak indeed.

Yours,

Peter Morgan
Marlborough

Please note: Peter Morgan is a Marlborough Town Councillor and the above is a personal opinion on the subject matter