The Census being carried out by the Office of National Statistics will be taking place in March 2021 – see Census Advice Notice.

Further information will be available at www.census.gov.uk

The new MyWilts system is now live and can be accessed using the following link – https://my.wiltshire.gov.uk/.

If you have already registered online to book a slot at one of our Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) and updated your password since 3 September, you will automatically have access to the new MyWilts system.

As we transition from the old system, you may receive email notifications from us regarding your case status from the new system. These can be identified with the email address ending @wiltshire.gov.uk.

If you have previously used the mobile app, you will need to download the new app from the App Store (Apple) /Google Play (Android) by searching for ‘MyWilts’ or by using the following links:

Apple- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1476239668

Google – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Wiltshire.MyWilts

For more information please visit our webpage or watch the video series that has been created to support you in using the system.

Best regards,

Wiltshire Council

Following the resignation of Nicola Hayward, a vacancy has arisen in the post of Parish Councillor – please see full details on the Notice of Vacancy.

Link Schemes are voluntary groups which offer a transport and good neighbour service to local people who are in need, perhaps because they are elderly, disabled, isolated and lonely, single parents, or perhaps temporarily in need because of illness. They operate as small, independent charitable organisations and all volunteers use their own private vehicles. (Insurance and DBS checks are carried out).To give you an idea of the level of support The Link Schemes offer – last year they made 31,351 health related journeys and completed 48,027 good neighbour tasks which incorporate collecting prescription’s and shopping.

If you could spare some time, or for more information please contact as on 01380 722241.

Email: linkproject@communityfirst.org.uk

Save the dates!  The BARTS Festival has been re-scheduled for 16/17/18 July 2021 – further details can be found on the BARTS Website.

A fun challenge for families and walkers to get to know the beautiful surroundings of Sutton Benger by walking local footpaths and identifying local landmarks. It is hoped children (and the rest of us) might become more confident using an Ordnance Survey map.

All the walks are less than 2-3 miles. Some may be overgrown – you will need walking boots/trainers or wellies and probably best to have legs covered to protect from nettles. (Please report to the Parish Council if you have any particular issues accessing the paths)

The footpaths cross privately owned land, so please stay on marked paths.

Full details and the Walk Benger Challenge Pack can be found here.

Wiltshire Council – Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
Temporary Prohibition of Right turn: B4122 M4 J17 to B4069 (Part), Sutton Benger
Temporary No Waiting at any Time restriction of: B4122 M4 J17 to B4069 (Part), Sutton Benger

Full details of the Temporary Road Restrictions on the B4122 from 8 June 2020.

At our Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 10 June 2020 the Cllrs unanimously voted to Object to the following planning applications:

The Council’s full responses to the above objections will be submitted soon, but to summarise our reasons:

1. The developments are contrary to Core Policies 1, 2, 10, 48, 58, 60 and 61 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy (2015).
2. Unsustainable Growth – Wiltshire Council Strategic Planning have already recognized that we have had a high level of growth – between 2006 and 2017, 99 new houses were completed in Sutton Benger, a growth of 27%, largely due to the redevelopment of the former Chicken Factory site.  Since 2017 another 16 new houses have been approved and built or are in progress, with another 4 awaiting decision – this will increase the growth since 2006 to 30%.  There is no immediate need for additional housing in the local community and we have seen far more development than the other identified 4 large villages in the Chippenham Community Area.
3. Impact on Infrastructure and Services – the developments are unable to be supported by current village infrastructure and services – no village shop, poor public transport, school at capacity, doctor’s surgery at capacity and drainage and sewage pipes unable to cope with current outflow.  The developments offer no employment opportunities or additional services and facilities.  The developments will create ‘commuter communities’ that will have a disproportionate effect on the community and the Conservation Area.
4. Highways Safety – the increase in traffic from all 3 sites onto the B4069 and the recent developments in Lyneham to the East, the St Modwen Distribution Centre to the North West and the Bird’s Marsh Development to the West raises concerns about highway safety and the safety of schoolchildren crossing the High Street.  Many vehicles exceed the speed limit on the straight stretch of the B4069 to be accessed by the 2 Land to the East of Church View applications and is regularly closed due to significant flooding.  The Land at Sutton Lane applications will be affected by the regular significant flooding of Sutton Lane with the road being closed for weeks at a time.
5. Biodiversity, Ecological Impact and Habitat Loss – we would seek to protect the biodiversity of the sites as they are in an area identified as having a priority species for Community Stewardship Targeting by DEFRA, for lapwings.  We are concerned over the loss of habitat and the impact on the surrounding environment if these greenfield sites are developed.

Please see details from Wiltshire Council for changes to the chargeable garden waste collection service renewal process and pro-rata charging 2020/21

The central access cabinet for Sutton Benger Community has now been activated meaning some of those properties that have been built to will now be able to order service and make use of the ultrafast broadband speeds. It is worth mentioning this was brought forward by several months, given the quick and good progress the teams have made.

Not all connections are immediately ready with the main cabinet being activated, as works continue over the coming weeks and months to finalise the outstanding sections of build, and activate those connections that have been built. I have attached the latest programme of works for your reference.

The best way for residents to find out if there connection is live, is to register on their website gigaclear.com. You will then receive an email or phone call from their teams when their connection is ready.

Or keep an eye out for the post in the coming weeks as mailers will also be arriving.