The scheme to build 46 houses on the Wiltshire Council owned play area adjacent to Rabley Wood View was rejected by the Council’s own planning committee last August.
Now the development agents working for the Sangster family have submitted an amended plan to Wiltshire Council.
It is thought that this plan will be the same as or similar to the one put informally to the Town Council last month – and rejected by them. The full version of the new plans should be on the Wiltshire Council website later on Tuesday (February 10.)
The controversy surrounding this proposed development centres on the land provided by the Sangsters’ Manton Estate to replace the play area land that would be built over. This substitute land is part of the water meadow beside the River Og.
The developers had until the end of this month to appeal against Wiltshire Council’s rejection. Instead they have decided to submit amended plans which will probably reduce the number of houses from 46 to 39 and partially alter the siting of new play areas.
At its meeting on Monday (February 9), the Town Council’s planning committee agreed that once the new plan comes before the Wiltshire planning committee Wiltshire Councillor Stewart Dobson should ‘call it in’ – so as to allow proper public consideration and discussion of the plans.
Last month Councillor Peggy Dow suggested that Wiltshire Council should be asked whether they would allow a community asset transfer of the play area to ownership by Marlborough Town Council.
However, after informal approaches, the Town Clerk reported that Wiltshire Council consider this land to be ‘strategic’ and therefore not available for a community asset transfer. That seems to imply that the proposed houses are being counted towards the increased number of homes called for in the Council’s recently adopted Core Strategy.
Cigarette thefts across Wiltshire – Police appeal for witnesses
