Row over proposed houses near ‘accident blackspot’
Developers want to build 55 homes
A planning row has broken out over a proposal to build 55 houses near an accident blackspot.
Cotswolds Homes wants to build the homes on land off Biddestone Lane at Yatton Keynell.
The developer promises a “high quality and distinctive development” on a four-hectare site to the south west of the village.
However, the proposal would see the size of the village grow by 15 per cent.
The parish council objects, complaining it has not been consulted and pointing out that the village is served by a narrow lane, which ends at an accident blackspot.
In a letter to Wiltshire Council, they wrote: “The applicant did not engage with the parish council. This has continued, and no engagement has taken place to address the concerns raised by the parish council and residents.”
It continues: “The anticipated number of car journeys stated by the applicant is misleading. As there are 135 parking spaces on the proposed site, it is a fair assumption that most vehicles will leave and return to the site at least once per 24-hour period.
“The A420 junction is a known collision black spot. Unfortunately, the police do not record non-injury accidents, which occur on a frequent basis at this junction. The police recorded two injury incidents in 2021 and three in 2022.”
Wiltshire Council ward member Jon Atkey also has concerns, and has asked for the planning application to be ‘called in’ – meaning that elected councillors, rather than planning officers, will get the final say.
He has told officers: “The proposed access off Biddestone Lane is poor in a number of respects, and the lane itself is barely wide enough for two passing vehicles and narrows significantly as it comes into Yatton Keynell itself.”
The parish council also argues it is misleading to describe the site of the proposed development as being on the edge of the village boundary, the playing fields are between existing houses and the proposed development site.
The developer says the main facilities, including By Brook Valley Primary School, are within walking distance.
The village also has a GP surgery, pub, café, village store, and a direct bus service to Chippenham – all of which can be reached within a five- to 10-minute walk, according to Cotswolds Homes.
The developer is proposing a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, 22 of which would be designated affordable.
It says a public consultation exercise at the village pub in 2024 attracted 47 people, and 338 households were sent a letter asking them to participate in an online survey.
Reponses were received on matters including traffic and road safety, flooding and drainage, impacts on infrastructure and affordable housing, it says.