STATUS (18th mar 2025)

No big decisions as yet and there are no new decision dates for either planning application on the WCC planning portal.  But there is plenty of activity - here are some bullets as an update:

• The WCC ecology officer has posted a strong objection on the OTH application.  This, however, was not the case for the ecology officer who was overseeing the PPF application who appeared to have been rushed into accepting the mitigations put forward by the applicant.  We have pushed back strongly as to why these officers have come to different conclusions for developments in the same valley.  Thanks to Jo Darlington for providing an expert comparison of the two submissions.

• The WCC Landscape officer has strongly objected to the OTH application.  For PPF the Landscape officer has a “holding objection” status but again we will be monitoring if, and how, these critiques vary between the 2 sites given they are in the same landscape area.

• “Access" is proving a strong card on both applications - landowners say they will refuse access to their land for passing places on OTH and WCC are aware of this fact.  Likewise local residents have done the same for the access difficulties for PPF. A reminder that the highways officer has objected to the PPF development.  We have pointed out that the PPF access has major safety issues and we are currently seeking legal advice as to the consequences of this if the application moves to the next phase.  We have already registered with the planning office the legal rights of unrestricted access for residents.
  All these points are registered as comments on the 2 applications.

• The Local Natural Recovery Strategy for Wiltshire is in its consultation period.  This is a nationwide process for ensuring the habitats of wildlife are registered.  This data can then be used as a "material consideration" in planning applications but unfortunately has no veto impact.  We intend to work with the LNRS to get this valley specifically noted so that we have a case in the long term to get the area stronger protection to act as a barrier to these inappropriate applications in the future.  Councillor Cummins is leading this initiative on behalf of WCC which is useful for the valley.  Dominic and Tamara continue to be very supportive of our cause.

As you can see we are closely monitoring things. As you can also see, signs continue to go up around the parishes to voice our opposition - please contact us to get your own sign, particularly if you have a prominent position.

Clearly funds will be needed as we continue the fight and start to engage expert (particularly legal) support in the future.

Increasing Visibility 

Signs and Banners are being rolled out across villages.  If you have a useful vantage point and want to help, do contact us and stick a sign on your fence or in a window. Remember you need permission of the landowner and do not put your sign up on council land or telegraph poles and road signs. If you need any help putting a sign up, please contact us!

We are keeping our MP Brian Matthew fully informed of developments as well as our councillors Dominic Muns and Tamara Reay