'Alarm' over plans for 1,200 homes on beauty spot

The work of volunteers will have been "to waste" if a development of 1,200 is approved in future, says a canal trust.

A council-owned green space at Pewsham, near Chippenham in Wiltshire, which includes an old canal, has been earmarked for the building work.

Gleeson Land and Gallagher Developments have invited public feedback on their "masterplan" for the site and Wiltshire Council said any application "would be considered and processed in the usual way".

The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust has been restoring the waterway - chair of the local branch, Howard Wilson, said the work so far that included "three locks, a carpenters workshop, a new bridge" would be a waste if they cannot extend the canal.

According to the developers, 40% of the housing would be classified as affordable. The development would also include a primary school, retail area, leisure spaces and a "net gain in biodiversity" through "green areas".

Wilson said the residential complex would run straight through the charity's ongoing restoration work at Pewsham locks: "Part of extending the canal is to provide a blue-green corridor ... we improve conditions for wildlife."

"The fact the developers haven't mentioned the canal is disappointing. There is huge positivity from Chippenham residents about the work we're doing with the canal," Wilson said.

Wilson also said the trust was "trying to make contact" with the developers to try and come to an "amicable solution".

It comes a month after the £2.2m Wiltshire Local Plan - a blueprint for delivering 37,000 homes between 2020 and 2038 - was scrapped because Wiltshire Council had not allocated enough land, according to government inspectors.

Councillor Clare Cape said she had "sympathy" with the "alarm" felt by local people.

She said she wanted to "take the time to listen to everybody's points" and was "very passionate" about supporting the canal.

"I will do everything I possibly can to get the right outcome for the canal trust.

"However, I do know the government are making Wiltshire take a very significant number of more homes and we're going to have to find space for them somewhere," she added.

Residents have until 28 June to submit feedback on the plans, while a petition against the development has reached more than 1,200 signatures.

Adrian Foster, the cabinet member for development management and housing, said: "We have not yet received a planning application. If and when an application is submitted, it would be considered and processed in the usual way."

Gleeson Land and Gallagher Developments have both been approached for comment.

According to the developers, the application is set to be processed by late-2026 or early-2027.

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