There have been many controversial proposals in the planning this year.

One of the largest most divisive schemes was for developing the south of Chippenham.

The Future Chippenham scheme involved using government funding to build a large road.

Around 4,000 Houses would then be developed around this new infrastructure.  

However, the recent rise in building costs and inflation means the council has had to abandon the plans.

This has left them with a bill of £3 million, as there was a lot of planning put into the design of the road before the idea was ditched.

The failure of the scheme has meant many Liberal Democrat Councillors have accused the leadership of wasting millions.

But Leader Richard Clewer says the land can still be developed if it is put into the Local Plan and so the money has not been wasted.

Another big project surrounded by anger and uncertainty is the waste to energy incinerator planned for Westbury.

Over one hundred residents gathered to protest the incinerator they say will pollute their town.

The protest happened before an inquiry that began in November.

The inquiry was launched by a government planning inspector to decide if the plant should be built.

It ended December 8 but the inspector will make his decision next year.

Plans for 450 new homes near Royal Wootton Bassett that went through public consultation in November triggered fears doctor’s surgeries, schools and local infrastructure will be overloaded.

Developer David Wilson Homes has made an outline application for the site east of Woodshaw.

Along with the homes, the plan is for a school, a new parking area and green spaces like meadows and community orchards.

There are also big changes to surrounding roads proposed, including a new three-arm roundabout on Swindon Road to the north of the site with new T junctions on the western and southern sides.

The plans are yet to be decided.

Earlier in the year plans for gypsy sites also caused a lot of debate.

One application was for a traveller site on land north of M4 near Chippenham.

The pitches would have comprised of one mobile home, one touring caravan, and one dayroom but the plans were finally rejected in October. 

However, another application for a gypsy site at Lydiard Millicent near Swindon is still under consideration.

It is for 12 gypsy families, each with two caravans including no more than one static caravan.
It will be decided in February next year if it will go ahead.