Wiltshire Council highways officers will now present a report to the portfolio holder for transport, Dick Tonge, who will make a decision on whether to agree with the objectors and not build the crossing, or to go with the supporters.  In the latter case the zebra crossing was due to be built in late February, though there may now be some delay to that timetable.

The decision should be announced any day now – watch this space for the announcement.

Funding for the crossing is secured.  Holt was awarded £11,000 from Wiltshire Council’s ‘Substantive Highways Scheme’.  This is a fund of £100,000 for road safety improvements across the county, and Holt’s bid was one of only five successful projects.  A condition of the grant is that the crossing has to be built in the current financial year.

The Area Board agreed to contribute a further £5,000.  There are also commitments of £500 from the Parish Council and £500 from the school.  Local fundraising included the ‘Any Questions’ event on Dec 2nd which raised £1,000 and a contribution from the village’s Auction of Promises.

W/11/03223/FUL  7/12/11 – 11 Meadow Court - Erection of a flue at rear of shop – permitted.

W/11/03042/OUT  15/11/11 – Land East Of 24  Elm Close  – 12 one bedroom bungalows for rental to persons over 55 years of age; construction of associated access road, pavements and footpaths.

W/11/03020/TPO  14/11/11 – Land At Staverton Triangle  – Cut back all regeneration of Oak Tree (T1) to original cuts and 20% crown reduction – permitted.

W/11/02769/FUL  18/10/11 – Cereal Partners - Erection of a new balance tank and caustic tank – permitted.

w/11/02678/FUL  4/10/11  12, Cygnet Way – Two storey side extension – permitted.

W/11/01625/FUL  7/9/11 – Staverton Church Of England Primary School  – Erection of two storage sheds and “Shade Sails” for playground shading – permitted.

W/11/01804/FUL  28/6/11  – 24 Elm Close – extensions to Woolaway bungalow – permitted.

W/11/01536/FUL  13/5/11  2 Smallbrook Gardens – Erection of conservatory to side of property – permitted.

W/11/01171/FUL   29.03.11 23 Warren Road  – Retrospective application for erection of car port attached to existing garage – permitted.

W/11/00790/FUL  15/3/11  The Old Vicarage – A single storey link building between the rear extension to The Old Vicarage and Staverton House to provide internal access and a shared entrance from the car park – permitted.

W/11/00772/FUL  07.03.11  24 Elm Close – Extensions - refused.

These include construction of a new line for the A350 from West Ashton to Trowbridge to cope with increasing traffic generated by the thousands of new houses to be built on that side of town.

Wiltshire Council has always claimed that the new developments and the opening of the Hilperton Relief Road won’t affect traffic in Staverton, despite it being blatantly obvious to everyone else that it will do.

The consultants say:  ”The B3105 at Staverton also experiences congestion where it crosses the River Avon, due to the traffic signals that limit use of the bridge to one way at a time. Capacity problems would be removed with a new or widened bridge to allow two-way use but this would require major structural works and has previously been ruled out. However, a smaller traffic management scheme could still deliver significant reductions in delay times. Initial analysis has identified that significant benefits could be achieved if the southbound B3106 approach to the junction from Holt was closed and, as a result, the traffic signal timing could be adjusted. However, any option that includes the partial closure of the B3106 would require a detailed analysis of the impacts and consultation with the local community.”

The closure (or making one-way) of Holt Lane has been suggested before on several occasions and always rejected.  It’s noticeable that when the lane is closed by flooding congestion increases considerably on the causeway and other roads.

The positive point is that the problems of Staverton have at least been recognised, even if the solution put forward by the counsultants is poorly thought out.

The study puts forward a number of radical ideas for improving transport in and around Trowbridge most of which, such as introducing cycle tracks and making life easier for pedestrians, will be ignored by Wiltshire Council.

Objectors and supporters will be able to speak in the Open Forum at the meeting.  If you’d like to be notified if and when it goes to the committee then please get in touch.

The latest survey will similarly help to identify what housing is needed to go on the Tannery development, as well as helping the Neighbourhood Plan to assess what, if any, need there is.  The PC say, “We may need small or large homes, bungalows, flats or houses, rented or shared ownership.”  The survey will be delivered in late February.  People are strongly encouraged to return the forms, even if they’re not in any housing need themselves, as the results will help to ensure any future development in the village is in accordance with what people need and want to see.

If you’re a resident of Monkton Farleigh and have any views on local bus services and how they could be realistically improved please get in touch.

However WC highways officers say they’re not concerned about the signs, which have been temporarily removed for the winter.  They’ve pointed out to the owner of Holt Manor that he could be liable if anyone following his signage had a road traffic accident at the northern turn towards Chalfield, where the junction is on a blind bend, but there are currently no records of any accidents at the junction.

The owner of Holt Manor has however been asked to remove the stakes along the verges as these have been put into land which is part of the highway.  Wiltshire Council highways officers were initially reluctant to take action on these, until pressed to do so by Holt Parish Council.

W/11/02977/FUL  10/11/11 – 66 Upper South Wraxall - Erection of garage.

W/11/02709/FUL  11/10/11 – 90 Bradford Leigh - Single storey side and rear extension – permitted.

W/11/02299/LBC  10/8/11 – Court Farm – demolition of existing modern garden wall and removal of modern hedge, construction of new bath stone rubble garden wall with gate – permitted.

W/11/02216/FUL  8/8/11 – Upper Farm – alterations to bring about the change of use of two redundant agricultural buildings to form 2 dewllinghouses and associated works – permitted.

W/11/02032/DDD  – 62B Upper South Wraxall – Remove one dangerous Willow tree – permitted.

W/11/01989/FUL  8/7/11 – 35 Lower South Wraxall – Demolition of an existing post-war single storey extension. Erection of a new two-storey extension faced in rubble stone to match existing. New front porch to replace existing. New access via re-landscaped gardens – permitted.

W/11/01946/TCA  4/7/11 – 27 Ivy Lane – Trim and thin cherry tree – permitted.

W/11/01889/TCA 24/6/11 – South Wraxall Lodge – Fell Alder Tree – permitted.

W/11/01565/FUL  19/5/11  The Old Chapel  Bradford Leigh  – Change of use of chapel and associated land to form a live/work unit and associated works – permitted.

W/11/01592/FUL  18/5/11  86A Bradford Leigh – Side extension and new entrance porch – permitted.

W/11/01598/TCA  18/5/11  The Walnuts  65 Upper South Wraxall – Various works to Walnut tree – permitted.

W/11/01554/FUL  13/5/11  66 Upper South Wraxall – Revised application for extension to dwelling – permitted. 

W/11/01390/FUL  4/5/11 46 Upper South Wraxall – Two storey extension and raising existing boundary wall.

W/11/00839/TCA   Brookside 12 Lower South Wraxall – Fell one Conifer – permitted.

W/11/00782/FUL  09.03.11  35 Lower South Wraxall - Demolition of existing extension and erection of a 2 storey extension, replacement porch and new access – permitted.

W/11/00348/FUL  and  W/11/00349/LBC  04.02.11 – The Longs Arms – External and internal alterations to public house – permitted.

Please get in touch if you have any ideas.