A community comes together

In 2021, Mel became involved in a local campaign to protect nature in Chippenham, Wiltshire. A development of 7,500 houses had been proposed in the local plan, threatening important countryside. The suggested land was council-owned, and home to a project which had been improving opportunities for local people to pursue a life and career in farming.  

Chippenham’s campaigners questioned whether it was necessary for this valuable site to be developed. 

"Chippenham has land reserved for many thousands of other houses, where planning permission has already been approved but no homes have yet been built. The full project would have meant supplying 5,000 houses over government targets.” 

The campaign brought together the local community, Town and County Councillors, and leading planning and environmental groups including The Community Planning Alliance (CPA), Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Action on Empty Homes and Transport Action Network (TAN).  
 
Thanks to everyone’s passion and knowledge, the matter was granted a Judicial Review. The campaign had a day in court to defend nature, alongside hosting various fundraising activities.  

“Unfortunately, the campaign lost, but we gave nature a chance. For me, it's not about stopping all development, but working together to get the best outcome possible for nature and people.”  

Despite not getting the outcome they’d hoped for at Judicial Review, the campaign still delivered for nature.  Mel invited Wiltshire Council to come and view the site, and to see how – in its current state – the land had invaluable benefits for both people and wildlife.  

"A Grey Heron flew down beside us – I couldn't have scripted it better. The council leader said he could imagine running along the cycle path, out into the countryside.  Shortly after this, the number of houses was reduced from 7,500 to 4,200.”