Wiltshire Council rejects new housing and cemetery plans near Cricklade
Concerns over boundary, infrastructure, and environmental impact
Plans for 49 new homes and a cemetery on the outskirts of Cricklade have been rejected by Wiltshire Council due to multiple planning concerns raised by local officials and residents.
The application, submitted by Hannick Homes in 2023, proposed using agricultural land outside the defined settlement boundary south of The Forty and north of Chelworth Road.
The plans sparked significant local interest, with over 100 objections highlighting issues such as flooding, highway safety, and infrastructure capacity.
Thames Water previously noted concerns about the site's potential foul water discharge into the existing sewer network, stating that necessary upgrades would be required.
The development location near public rights of way and the North Meadow Special Area of Conservation also fueled apprehensions.
Despite Wiltshire Council planning officers recommending approval with conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement, the Northern Area Planning Committee refused the application.
Cricklade Town Council opposed the plans, citing violations of the Wiltshire Core Strategy driven by the site's location outside the designated settlement boundary.
Additionally, the development's reliance on an inadequate sewerage network was deemed a "risk of sewer surcharge and pollution."
Surface water management presented further risks, with fears of exacerbating existing flood conditions off-site.
The rejection underscores the importance of strategic planning and environmental consideration in potential development projects in Cricklade.