The area on the Downs to the North of Barton Park has long been earmarked as a site for development. Another Barton Park / College Fields development, but only larger. Talked about frequently but after significant opposition taken no further. But until now?
The serenity and peace of Downs Lane beyond Barrow Farm and Manton Hollow has suddenly been replaced by a burst of activity. A digger, piles of plastic fences, ‘keep out’ signs and more. We understand that this work is ‘an Archaeological Sweep’, commissioned by Thames Water as a precursor to putting in a pipeline. The amount of work being done and area being ‘swept’ would indicate a pipeline of significance, as the route points down towards the Fyfield Sewage Works and – at this stage – would appear to be for a main sewage pipeline. Or could it be for a clean water supply? Linked to the Thames Water facility by the Clatford crossroads? Either way it implies ‘change’ on the downs.
And for Thames Water. But they deny all knowledge of any works being conducted on their behalf. It may be for something else entirely but it would appear to be the first stages of preparation work for something, probably a development at some point, as the current population of rabbits up on the Downs and fields of cabbages, grains or rapeseed don’t normally need large sewage pipes or clean drinking water?
The above map is taken from page 7 of Wiltshire Council’s 2021 ‘Local Plan – Looking to the Future’ for Marlborough. Areas 1 and 2 are those possibly relevant to these works. Both are all classed as ‘Green Field’ and didn’t go ahead due to the strong local opposition and from National Landscape and other bodies. As yet no application, or even ‘published’ discussion regarding these sites.
Residents are already demanding answers. They want to know what is happening, and really happening. A local resident commented that “if they build these new estates, it would destroy the downland setting of Marlborough’s west side, impacting the tourist appeal of visiting the town and hugely increase the congestion on mainly single lane country roads.”
If this were to go ahead the combined area (and number of houses) could easily dwarf the current Barton Park / College Fields area, even when adding in Manton Hollow as well. Being possibly conspiracy theoretical as well, this may be one reason why the application in 2018 to create a ‘village green’ area on the green strip in College Fields / Barton Park was turned down as that would be the obvious place for an access point to this area of development.
Another consideration, could Marlborough as a town handle such a major development? Is the infrastructure of the town sufficient? Issues such as medical facilities, roads, schools, utility supplies and much more. Marlborough has grown in recent years whilst the infrastructure has remained the same. The town is already creaking at the seams – try getting a doctors appointment, or drive down a road whilst trying to avoid roadworks or potholes, or even finding a parking space in the centre. And what would the extra sewage do to the water quality in the Kennet which gets plenty pumped in already whenever it rains?
What this preparatory ‘Archaeological Sweep’ is being carried out for – no clear answer yet. But it would fit with being precursor work were a development to proceed, as always it’s the ‘below ground’ works (sewage pipes, water mains etc.) that have to be put in before anything at ground level or above can start.
Any answers….?
Two Decades of Marlborough Players celebrated with Ayckbourn’s ‘Absent Friends’
