A LOCAL campaign group has said that the notice to quit on southern Chippenham farms shows that the local plan and the Future Chippenham scheme are predetermined.
CAUSE (Campaign Against Urban Sprawl to the East of Chippenham) claims that Wiltshire Council issued at least one notice to quit to farmers on land it owns in the path of the southern section of the controversial scheme between January and March of this year.
A spokesman for the group said: “To our mind this is strong evidence that the council did not intend the consultation to interfere with its plans to further urbanise Chippenham via an extensive new road network.
“Additionally, if Wiltshire Council thus predetermined the Future Chippenham consultation, then the council also predetermined the local plan review consultation, which was purportedly predicated on the outcome of that of Future Chippenham.”
Plans for the distributor road around Chippenham drastically changed following the consultation, to include only the southern section of the scheme.
The council is still discussing the scheme with Homes England to determine how the new plans will change the £75m grant it was given for the original vision.
In its response to the Future Chippenham consultation, Chippenham Farm Sales said:
“The road will destroy hundred acres of farmland and businesses.
“Wiltshire Council own the farm were we farm and operate a machinery business from. We are being served notice to quit after 22 years with no suitable alternatives.”
Richard Clewer, leader of the council, told the Gazette that discussions with farm tenants was carried out over the last 18 months where they were made aware of the potential impact of the road. In March this year, cabinet agreed to give those farm tenants notice to quit.
“These letters are legally required to be served at this break point in the contracts to enable the council to introduce more flexible short-term agreements which will allow the council to ensure vacant possession of the sites within the timeframes agreed with Homes England.
“It also assists with effective estates management and planning in the future regardless of whether the sites are allocated in the local plan or planning permission for the Future Chippenham scheme is granted.
“It is not uncommon to take preparatory steps such as notice to quit letters in a proposed scheme to ensure delivery if the project goes ahead and in no way does this practice predetermine the outcome of the public consultation or the local plan review.”
The council has seven farm tenants over 12 plots affected by the previously consulted on road routes.
“The council is committed to supporting its farm tenants during this process and although we are not contractually obliged to relocate tenants or even to assist with this process, two of the farm tenants have been given the opportunity to consider moving to other currently or soon to be vacant council owned farms and these negotiations are ongoing.
“We are continuing to liaise with all our farm tenants about their options as the scheme progresses,” the leader added.
Article originally appeared on the Gazette and Herald
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