Countryside campaigner criticises Wiltshire’s car-focused housing developments
Concerns raised over impact on county's rural character
A countryside campaigner has warned that the proliferation of car-based housing estates threatens Wiltshire's rural character, urging the county's council leader to address the ongoing development challenges.
Ken McCall, representing the West Wiltshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, criticized the impact of recent housing estates during a full council meeting on 20th October.
Highlighting Wiltshire’s appeal as a rural county known for its landscapes, market towns, and historical sites, McCall expressed concern that tourists are met with sprawling estates outside towns.
McCall pointed to an already significant number of developments, including unbuilt sites like Ashton Park near Trowbridge, exacerbated by increased government housing targets.
He argued that the "standard method" of calculating council housing requirements lacks consideration for factors such as jobs, commuting, and geography.
Council leader Ian Thorn agreed with parts of McCall’s critique, expressing a willingness to discuss the targets with government officials.
Thorn emphasized the importance of utilizing brownfield sites and promoting effective housing densities to prevent "doughnuting," where development encircles towns instead of optimizing inner land.
Despite acknowledging the need for some greenfield construction, Thorn pledged to minimize its use, balancing land development with the county’s housing needs.