Decision on Village Green Status for Development Site Delayed Again

The determination regarding the construction of 180 residences on a specific parcel of land has been postponed for the second occasion. This site, known as Southwick Court Fields, situated close to Trowbridge in Wiltshire, is currently the subject of a planning application submitted by housing developers. However, local residents are actively campaigning to maintain the land as public access and are seeking its designation as a village green to safeguard its long-term status. On Wednesday, Wiltshire Council’s western area planning committee opted to defer making a decision. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, local specialists are of the opinion that the land contains the remnants of a Roman villa. During the meeting, councillors were informed that the initial application for village green status had been deemed invalid in 2020 because it was incorporated into a preliminary housing plan. Nevertheless, a recent report has indicated that this particular decision was erroneous. Councillor David Vigar stated that he attributed no blame and that it “was a mistake made in good faith”. He further commented that the situation had “massive consequences” for the residents, as it prevented them from endorsing the previous application. Residents assert that the site has been utilized as a village green for over two decades. The development companies, Waddeton Park and Savills, recently prevailed in an appeal challenging the council’s rejection of their planning application. A resolution is now anticipated to be reached in the upcoming year.