Wiltshire MP calls for infrastructure investment alongside new housing developments
Sarah Gibson MP advocates for roads, public transport, healthcare, and schools alongside housing
A Wiltshire MP has called for essential infrastructure investment to accompany new housing developments across Wiltshire following the publication of the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework.
The call comes from Sarah Gibson, who represents Chippenham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Calne, Corsham and Lyneham. She wants roads, public transport, healthcare, schools, drainage and essential utilities to have investment alongside proposed new developments to ensure sustainable growth.
The framework's decision-making policies were implemented on 17th August 2026, posing challenges for Wiltshire Council as it works towards fulfilling housing demand.
Currently, Wiltshire Council's assessment shows only 2.42 years of deliverable housing land available, falling short of the national requirement of five years.
This has prompted concerns about speculative applications for housing developments outside settlement boundaries, given the shortfall in housing supply.
Sarah Gibson, MP for Chippenham, has emphasised the need for homes that align with community needs, advocating for affordable, small-scale development to support local families, essential workers, and sustainable community growth.
She cautions against poorly located developments that could deepen car dependency and strain public services, including rural buses, GP services, drainage systems, road networks, and utilities.
While supporting the framework’s backing for community-led housing and rural exception sites, Ms Gibson echoes concerns over new requirements for neighbourhood plans, highlighting the lack of funding and professional support for parish and town councils.
The Liberal Democrat MP is proposing a rural planning support package and earlier collaboration between councils, the NHS, schools, transport bodies, and utility providers to ensure coordinated growth.
Ms Gibson also seeks safeguards against speculative development during Wiltshire’s transition to a new Local Plan.
In her statement, Sarah Gibson MP underscored the importance of aligning housing development with infrastructure investment:
“Wiltshire needs more homes, particularly homes that local families, young people and essential workers can genuinely afford. Rural communities should not have to choose between no development and the wrong development.
“Small-scale, well-planned housing can help keep villages alive. But homes without buses, GP capacity, school places, drainage and utilities are not sustainable growth.
“My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have consistently argued that homes and infrastructure must be planned and delivered together. I will press ministers for the support Wiltshire needs while working proactively with councils, housing providers and local communities to secure homes that strengthen our towns and villages.”