Holt Parish Council has organised a new housing survey for the village.  The previous survey in 2008 resulted in the plan for twelve houses for local people to be built in Station Road, and construction of these is about to start.

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.

When Wiltshire Council cut the X88 bus service last year to Wednesdays only the ‘cabinet’ agreed to look at the need for community transport in the Monkton Farleigh area.  Council officers have admitted that nothing has yet been done on this, though they say they’ve, ”Identified Monkton Farleigh and surrounding area as one of the areas we will be targeting in 2012 to look at developing community transport options.”

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.

Holt Parish Council has complained to Wiltshire Council about unauthorised signage on Leigh Road which attempts to direct traffic heading for Chalfield away from Holt Manor, and about stakes being put in the verges along the road near the Manor.

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Wessex Water are due to finish their work in Lower South Wraxall on Monday 30th January, and in Monkton Farleigh on Tuesday 31st.  Meanwhile they’ll be continuing the work of replacing a main in Bath Road (A363) in South Wraxall Parish until February 24th, with 2-way lights.

W/12/00115/FUL  23/1/12 – Land South Of The Plough Inn – new field entrance and installation of field gate.

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

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The formal consultation on the proposals for a pedestrian crossing in Holt should have closed yesterday.  However at the request of the school the deadline has been extended to the end of the week, so if you haven’t got your comments in there’s still time – details below.

Following the close of consultation council highways officers will 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 if it goes ahead.

Here is the formal notice, as printed in the Wiltshire Times on December 23rd:

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Wiltshire Police Authority is currently preparing the Policing Plan for 2012/2013. This is the last one that will be prepared by the Authority and will run until a new plan is written by the Police and Crime Commissar following elections in November. The Police Authority is undertaking a wide consultation through Area Boards, surveys, meeting members of the youth parliament, and MPs. They would like to know of any pressing local concerns, over and above those already identified as local priorities, which could be considered for inclusion in the policing plan.

Please get in touch if you have any ideas.

The Highways Agency, which manages the UK’s motorways and trunk roads, has objected to BANES’ proposals to close Cleveland Bridge to lorries and send more of them through Wiltshire.  Having initially adopted a neutral stance the HA has now come out in opposition, saying the plan would be detrimental to the strategic road network.

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Holt Parish Council Planning Committee have objected to a proposal to demolish the existing joinery building and replace it with a house.  In their submission to WC planners they say the development of the site, and the next door canteen site, should consider the adjacent Tannery site redevelopment.  They question the relationship of the three-storey building to the listed frontage of the Beavens Factory site opposite, and with the motor workshop behind it.

They also say, “Loss of this site to industrial use further impacts on the ratio of housing to workspace in the Village.  ….  We do not believe that the release of this land from its established employment use is justified.”

Plans to celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay which comes through Trowbridge and Bradford on 22 May were discussed at the January Area Board meeting. It is hoped to involve local schools, sports clubs and the whole community in this once-in-a-lifetime event which will culminate in a reception for the torch bearers and other entertainments.

A toolkit has been published by Wiltshire Council to help communities to organise their own street parties and community events to mark the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Bradford on Avon will be hosting its own Community Sports Festival in May and Monkton Farleigh and others will be celebrating the Jubilee in June. 

If you’re thinking of organising an event the WC ‘toolkit’, is at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/2012celebrations