We still need your help! See bottom of update for who to email.

Three weeks ago, work on reinstating a footpath that will go through the Damask Way site started ahead of the final planning decision.

Heavy machinery, tractors and traction brush cutters have been used to clear land in the wooded area on the southern side of the site. 

This has lead to significant disturbance to live badger setts during the season when females are nursing and bring up cubs. Work was carried out within a couple of meters of an unrecorded live sett which is home to a female likely to have young.

One live sett as identified in the badger survey appears to have been filled in.

Badgers are protected by law and a license is needed to do any work before it is carried out.  

Before Outline planning permission was even granted on the Damask Way site, damage to the biodiversity of the area started. Three years ago 6 mature protected trees including oaks and beech were felled without permission granted. 

Wiltshire Council's Core Policy 50 states that there will be no net loss to biodiversity!

We already know that this is not the case and in fact there will be a 27% net loss.  That's doesn't even include the loss of those 6 trees.

The Western Area Planning Committee will be making a decision on this planning application very soon, possibly on the 14th April.  Please help to stop them from granting permission for this development to go ahead.

If you live locally, please help by writing to our local Wiltshire MP, Andrew Murrison 

andrew.murrison.mp@parliament.uk