I was pleased to receive unanimous support for my motion to try and protect the historic trees on Chippenham’s Island Park against potential future development.
Here is my motion.. it was unanimously supported at Full Council Wednesday 21st June 2023.
To write to the Chief Executive at Wiltshire Council requesting any future development which adjoins Island Park seeks to protect and enhance the special environmental characteristics of the Park
Proposed by Cllr. Matthew Short
Seconded by Cllr Gemma Grimes
Background
Chippenham’s Island Park is a much loved community asset valued for its green space, public amenity, woodland shading, wildlife conservation, and visible screening of the Emery Gate shopping centre. The line of trees stretching from the entrance of Island park along the border with Emery gate can be seen on the first ordnance survey map 1844 – 1888, a hundred years before Emery Gate was built. This woodland area provides an important visual screening from Emery gate, and is a valuable woodland habitat in a beautiful natural setting.
The recent Chippenham One Plan public consultation indicates that development of Emery gate could take place in the near future. Whilst this is likely to be within the footprint of Emery Gate, and the Island Park is within the conservation area, the border of Emery gate and Island Park is currently shielded by a line of historic trees and small woodland.
Chippenham Town council’s mission statement is ‘Improving the quality of town life for present and future generations.’
Council notes that:
Chippenham’s Island Park is a much loved community asset valued for its green space, public amenity, woodland shading, and wildlife conservation.
The small woodland and line of approximately 100 trees at the border of Island Park and Emery Gate provide a visible screening of the Emery Gate shopping centre.
This line of trees includes some historic trees and is shown on the Ordnance survey map as early as 1844.
Council resolves to:
Request that the Chief Executive writes to the Chief Executive at Wiltshire Council requesting that any development undertaken which adjoins Island Park (the freehold of which is owned by the town council) is sympathetic to the existing environment and recognises and seeks to protect and enhance its special characteristics.
ENDS