Roughmoor Lane Proposals – Update June 2025
The Church Commissioners have revised their proposals for the Roughmoor Lane development in the light of comments received. The changes appear slight, are not easily identified, and, disappointingly, fail to respond to almost all the very substantial issues raised by individuals and the parish council. The one small exception concerns the A371 where it is proposed that the developers should seek a reduction in the speed limit through the village to 20mph. While this would be a small step towards recognising the danger posed by traffic, neither the developers, nor the planners, can insist that this happens.
It is open to villagers to comment on the revised plans which can be viewed using the same reference number on the planning portal 2025/0137/out.
To assist, the NPWG has posted details of all correspondence with planners and Highways on this matter on the website at https://westburysubmendip-pc.gov.uk/roughmoor-lane-developments/roughmoor-lane-proposals-2023/
I am somewhat horrified of the speed through the village and the speed of motorists at Broad road especially speed of Tractors on there way to Prddy areaxeither pulling trailers or just riding , there speed is well out of order and they don’t stop or pull over, silly to wait till it’s to late ,
Appalled at any consideration of development, without serious address of the significant impact of increased traffic. Already we are poorly served with no meaningful traffic calming on an A road WITHOUT footpaths ,when nearing road bends on narrow carriageway . The section opposite the village hall is already an awaiting tragedy .No development without full and effective road safety upgrades pls !!!!!
The volume of 60 properties is unacceptable in a village already blighted by an ever increasing level of traffic which includes those who flout the current speed limit as they enter and exit the village at speed or accelerate beyond reasonable levels of safety or consideration for residents.
In addition the number of HGV’s continues to increase as does their size which adds to the considerable risk particularly to pedestrians on the road at Hannah’s Lane end where there are no footpaths, sharp bends with limited visibility and narrow carriage way essentially isolating residents unless they use their cars for the short distance into the community centre adding to traffic volume and pollution.
This also impacts on the ability for people to attend events at the current village hall.
At the development site similar issues exist and risk particularly in the summer and peak times creating standing traffic at that section of the village core with the associate noise and pollution.
Those who are elderly, infirm or have young children, dog walkers seeking to access the strawberry line being particularly affected or prohibited.
The issue of the traffic volumes on the A371 including in the village has been a well documented over many years which appears to be continually down played, ignored, utilising very selective data or producing inaccurate or very dated survey information or a total lack of due diligence by the developers for the sake of commercial benefit and planners to achieve the necessary housing figures irrespective of the cost and welfare to the local community.
The entire village requires effective and well planned traffic calming which considers future needs and includes the variations of summer and types of vehicles before any further development is even proposed let alone considered including this one.
The cost of ignoring the obvious is risking someone’s life, impacting the village by isolating sections of the community through their relative position to the road, denying access to village amenities and certainly an ever increasing noise pollution issue impacting everyone to a detrimental level.