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Canal and River potential for Melksham

The Trust continues to campaign for the maximum benefit to be achieved for Melksham with the restoration of the Wilts & Berks canal. Coupled with studies required for the canal, we see the opportunity to examine the feasibility of a sailing lake at Melksham.
See - Millennium Lake

Town planning

The Trust continues to monitor planning applications, and have made representations concerning: The Lidl building, The Market Place, George Ward School site, the ASDA/Countrywide site, and development at the Spa. We have asked the District Council to including the Spa houses in a conservation area in order to protect their historic setting from over development, this is under active consideration by WWDC. We again ask the question “Which of today's buildings or developments will achieve Conservation Area designation in the future?”

The Trust are working with the District and Town Councils in the conservation of listed buildings and the allocation of repair grants.

Comments were made to the Swindon and Wiltshire Structure Plan process. In particular we are critical of any A350 bypass scheme that divides Melksham from The Spa and Bowerhill. The suggestion for a Beanacre only bypass was supported as this would maintain the existing economic benefits to Melksham arising from the A350

Town Projects

The Trust has worked with the Melksham 1st Partnership on the regeneration plan supported by the South West Region Development Agency, the Countryside Agency and others. Melksham 1st has helped in obtaining funding for the Forest Community Building, the Youth Cafe, the Riverside Walk, and the Assembly Hall. Support has also been given to the new Skate Board Park, the Sure Start Nurseries and the West Wilts Credit Union.

The Melksham Town centre and Market Place are due for an enhancement scheme. The Trust has offered to contribute to a town design brief to support the current County Highway consultations, we have been disappointed with the process and the lack of vision within previous consultations.

The Trust has submitted a proposal to the Town Council for the planting of further trees in car parks and other town centre spaces.