Campaigners launch legal action over road scheme
LEGAL action has been launched over the absence of consultation on the revised Future Chippenham scheme which has seen the council accused of “riding roughshod” through local democracy.
Dr Helen Stride, heading up the campaign, said that the group’s main objective is to challenge the council’s decision to proceed with the Future Chippenham project.
The Future Chippenham scheme involves a controversial new road around the town that would pave the way for 7,500 new houses on greenfield land.
Wiltshire Council, which has secured Government funding for the distributor road, says it has to meet Government housebuilding targets, but the plans have caused fury among environmentalists.
Dr Stride said: “I’m arguing that the process adopted by the cabinet at its meeting on July 21, which resulted in the decision to proceed with this road, was unlawful.”
A solicitor for the campaign wrote to the council on October 4 to give the local authority a chance to abandon the scheme and avoid costly litigation.
Dr Stride said the council refused to take the opportunity.
She continued: “That left me with no option than to begin legal proceedings.”
On October 20, solicitors served the council after a court in Cardiff granted Dr Stride permission to launch the judicial review.
“My solicitor and barrister are arguing that the council unlawfully excluded the public from part of its meeting on July 21 and withheld information,” she added.
“It failed to properly and meaningfully consult on the preferred road route. We will hear the court’s decision early in the new year.
“In ignoring the views of the residents of Chippenham in an earlier consultation, I am arguing that the council is riding roughshod through the democratic process.
“Hopefully, what this legal challenge shows is that even if residents are ignored by their elected officials, there are other channels through which we can make our voices heard.”
Dr Stride added that the council cabinet would increasingly find itself on the wrong side of history with its decision.
Leader of the council Richard Clewer said: “An application for a judicial review has been filed with the courts and served on Wiltshire Council. We are liaising with our legal advisers and can confirm we will be robustly defending our position.
“As previously stated, the Future Chippenham programme does not determine the development that takes place; this decision is subject to the Local Plan review.
“Development proposed by the Future Chippenham programme will be subject to the Local Plan review and the statutory planning process.”
A crowdfunding campaign to support Dr Stride’s legal action has raised well over £8,000 so far with her next target set to be £15,000.
Put the crate in a calm, quiet place and make it cosy – put your dog’s bed, blanket, a non-spill water bowl, toys and treats inside. You can cover the top and sides with a blanket to exclude draughts and reduce sounds from outside. Fix the door securely open and let your dog get used to the crate in his own time.
Once your dog appears relaxed with the sight and smell of the crate, encourage him to go inside. Go at your dog’s pace and keep training sessions short and fun. Practise when he’s ready to relax, such as after a walk.
Position yourself next to the crate so you can easily drop treats in. Drop these on his bed through the top and continue once he is inside.
If your dog seems reluctant to go in, place the treat in the doorway and repeat to build up his confidence, then drop it a little further inside.
If your dog comes out, stop dropping treats and wait. Don’t call him or try to
Once your dog is happy in the crate, close the door slightly but don’t secure it. Repeat and if he’s OK, secure the door for just a moment. Build up the time he spends in the crate with the door closed. If he seems worried, go back to a stage where he feels comfortable. When you’re not doing training, always leave the door secured open.
When your dog is relaxing inside the crate, start doing day-to-day activities. Stay in the same room to begin with.
Start by giving him his meal, longlasting chew or food-releasing toy and closing the crate door. Slowly move towards the door. If he’s OK, leave the room briefly, then return and carry on with your own activities, throwing the odd treat in or praising him. Gradually build up the length of time you stay outside the room.