James Gray expresses concerns on WC Core Strategy

North Wiltshire MP James Gray has confirmed his support for a group of organisations objecting to Wiltshire Council's plan for development in the county. in a message to the group, he says:

"I too have very real concerns about the Core Strategy, which seems to be based on the presumption that economic growth, new business parks and housing, are of necessity a 'good thing.' I have never been convinced of that wisdom, coming as I do from a long-held conviction that there must be 'limits to growth.' There is always a delicate balance between development (some of which is of course always necessary), and preserving the environment - local and Global - within which we wish to live. I will be studying the Core Strategy with care to decide whether or not it falls on the right side of that line, but have grave suspicions that - for example with regard to Chippenham and also Malmesbury - it may not.

"I have always thought that our primary duty in planning must be to cater for those people who already live and work here in Wiltshire. I was glad to see that the unemployment figures announced last week put Wiltshire as amongst the lowest in the UK. And while there is undeniably housing need in the county, and the average wage/house price ratio is higher than perhaps we would like it to be, the need for new housing on the scale proposed is by no means proven.

In other words, it is my view that the creating of 'jobs' for themselves, and the building of houses to accommodate those people is not -of itself - the right thing to do. We all live here because of Wiltshire's pleasant environment - market towns surrounded by countryside. If we wanted to live in Swindon or Bristol, then presumably that is exactly what we would in fact do! It would be the easiest thing in the world to allow developers to ruin that environment, but the hardest thing in the world to reverse it!

With that as background, I will consider the Core Strategy with great care, and where necessary continue to make representations against parts of it. I am very glad that all of you will consider how best to do so as well. ... I congratulate you on the initiative and would like to be kept closely up to date on all your plans."

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The group, which includes organisations such as CPRE, Campaign for a Better Trowbridge, and various town and parish councils, is holding a meeting in Melksham on January 31st to consider tactics. The Core Strategy itself goes out for a short consultation period next month following its approval by the WC cabinet.