Anger at Devizes canalside housing plan low profile 'consultation'

Campaigners resisting plans to sell off land for housing beside the Kennet & Avon Canal at Coate on the outskirts of Devizes are up in arms at the way the developers have announced a consultation & exhibition.

The view of the proposed site of up to 400 houses from Coate Road canal bridge on the Saving Devizes Website

If you haven't carefully searched the classified ads in this week's Devizes Gazette & Herald you won't have come across the only public announcement — it is tucked away on page 60 giving notice of a meeting this afternoon from 4.30pm to 8.30pm at Nursteed Community primary School in Brickley Lane, Devizes.

Mactaggart and Mickel Strategic Land, acting on behalf of three landowners, want to get planning permission for 400 houses on a 50 acre 'greenfield site' beside the Kennet & Avon Canal at Coate on the outskirts of Devizes.

These plans have met with huge resistance from Devizes residents who are concerned about the impact that this and other housing plans, with little or no increase in employment, will have on the small market town. 

‘Community consultation’ was promised to allow local people to have their say on their plans — and this is it... from 4.30pm to 8.30pm today, (Monday 7 November 2011) at Nursteed Community primary School in Brickley Lane, Devizes with a repeat performance next Monday at the same time.

For more information about 'Saving Devizes' got to: http://savingdevizes.wordpress.com