Parish councillors say plans approved for Wroughton former supermarket despite lack of parking

Parish councillors have voiced disappointment that plans to turn a former supermarket into flats have been approved despite a lack of parking spaces.

Swindon Borough Council approved plans to turn the former Co-op on the High Street in Wroughton into 12 flats, with two shops on the ground floor.
Wroughton and Wichelstowe Parish Council objected to the plans because of a lack of parking spaces to support the development. The plans, they say, are nine car parking spaces short of the minimum requirements for a development of its size.
The parish councillors say permission was given even the borough council’s own Highways officer said the plans should be rejected, based on poor car parking availability.
Cllr Holly Woodward, Chair of the parish council’s planning committee, said: “The parish council is really disappointed that this planning application has been approved, especially considering that it’s against the advice of Swindon Borough Council’s own Highways officer.
“While we would of course like to see the former Co-op building put to use, it’s no good approving plans that could exacerbate the car parking problems on the High Street.
“It’s really important that the parish council stands up for local residents, many of whom were clear that on the subject of car parking, this planning application falls short.”
In objecting to the plans, the parish council wanted to give its support to local residents in Wroughton who had concerns about insufficient parking.
At a meeting on Wednesday 6 May, residents who live on the High Street spoke about the problems with a lack of parking spaces, and the parish council fears that the new development could make these problems worse.