Wilton Eco Park
Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton, 11-13.00 14th January 2012
Summary
A public meeting was held in Wilton on Saturday 14th January. It gave overwhelming support to the Wilton Eco Park Development Community Association (WEPDCA) to proceed with planned dialogue with a community-minded development company, which had approached the Association to enter into partnership as a component of the company’s bid for the former UKLF site. Bids are due in to the MOD by the end of February.
A further public meeting would be held (now fixed for February 18th) to provide feedback on progress and discuss the way forward, including the formation of a Community Land Trust to carry forward community interests.
Notes of meeting
Attended by 106 people from Wilton, Quidhampton and communities in the valleys up to Tisbury and down to Salisbury and Dinton, the meeting in the Michael Herbert Hall was addressed by 5 speakers.
Following introduction by the WEPDCA chair Peter Edge, John Glen MP expressed his strong support for the initiative. Answering questions, he said ‘I know we can put together a compelling bid and demonstrate local support in the time available’. Asked about how the eco development fits in to the structure of Wilton and other proposed sites, he explained that the eco bid must and will relate to the others, the infrastructure of the town, and the infrastructure of South Wiltshire. He asserted this would not be a naïve attempt to get something through with a green wrapper; it will take past and future development into consideration. Asked about the Localism Bill, he said that this approach is the fulfillment of the aspirations of the Localism Bill, and shows that people in the community are being listened to. Parish and neighbourhood plans should dictate development.
Alan Caldwell of Comrie Development Trust described a similarly community-led development of the MOD’s former Cultybraggan site in Scotland, and experience of projects in his home community at Comrie where he lives. He is advising the trustees and helping to facilitate progress. Rose Seagrief of the Wiltshire Community Land Trust, told of the benefits of establishing a Community Land Trust as a good vehicle for achieving community interests for the ECO Park and any wider interests in the future. Steven Jones of the Environment Centre described activities that WEPDCA could bring to residents in Wilton and the immediate area on environmental and energy efficiency in the home.
Questions were asked about the trustees, and what would happen next in the meeting with the development company. Trustees introduced themselves, and it was explained that the group was formed in mid 2011 of people predominantly from Wilton and Quidhampton who had a common interest and concern and volunteered to help develop and bring forward the Eco Park initiative. At the next stage it will convert to a bigger and more formal organisation. The upcoming meeting with the development company was raised, and after discussion there was a unanimous vote to endorse the Association to meet the development company and report back to a similar public meeting (now fixed for Feb 18th). Many people commented on the need for wide publicity for this next meeting. Chair Peter Edge assured everyone of wide publicity including the Salisbury Journal, John Glen’s website, the Association’s website, which will be up and running very soon, WILCAP’s website, Wilton Town Council’s website, on poster sites in Wilton (prompted by another questioner), and by people spreading the information. Apologising for the poor sound quality at the meeting, it was assured a full PA system would be in-place in future.
The meeting concluded at 13.00.
References:
Documents on display at the meeting at included a 2-page briefing, and a note on partnership that outlines what benefits the Association and community brings to the developer. Copies of a short questionnaire on ‘The Great Green Challenge’ were also provided, to gather peoples’ views on living in an environmentally sustainable way. Questionnaires soon will be handed out to homes in Wilton and Quidhampton with responses requested by 29th February.
ECO Park progress in summary:
It is the Wilton ECO Park Development Association’s vision to create a centre of excellence in sustainable living on an ex-MoD 13.5-hectare site on the edge of Wilton. The Park itself would comprise three elements; eco homes of different types, 3 hectares of industrial/business units for organisations involved in state-of-the art technology and visitor facilities with adapted demonstration buildings to inspire people. The scheme would be attractive to both national and global organisations and businesses to demonstrate best practice. The Park would also focus on the needs of the local community for housing and jobs, whilst benefiting the region and potentially the nation as a centre of excellence with advanced skills and education, and with international tourism potential being close to Stonehenge and Salisbury. The Association has been working with E.C. Harris and the Building Research Establishment to assess the project’s long term combined commercial viability and sustainability. The project is at a critical stage, (the MOD requires bids for the site by the end of February 2012). Local and regional support is good and the Association envisages the formation of a Community Land Trust to work in partnership with a commercial developer, thereby accessing the large-scale commerce and infrastructure resources needed to develop the site.
Wilton ECO Park Development Community Association (final, 24 Jan 2012)
