PLANS for a canal that would ‘change the face’ of Melksham are now just two years away from building works going ahead, it was revealed this week.

Having first lodged a planning application back in 2012, the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust told Wednesday night’s area board meeting they were months away from getting approval and could start work as early as 2018.

Melksham could see boosted revenue of £180 million from the canal, which would be the first built in the UK for 100 years. The scheme to pay for the new canal involves building up to 600 new homes and a series of new facilities in the town.

The canal, known as Melksham Link, would start from the Kennet and Avon Canal at Semington go up through Berryfield where it would meet the River Avon, using the river as navigation to go along the town and link back to the historic line of the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal.

Project manager of the trust, Paul Lenaerts, said: “It would bring to the economy some £180 million that would be a great benefit making Wiltshire a visitor attraction.

“We are close to getting planning permission, which could be in the next few months but the enabling development that would provide funding is a few years away.

“For the canal route we are months away but the next stage is the master plan, to enable funding for the project, and that is still on the drawing board and at least a year away.

“It is going to be very good for Melksham and we have a lot of local support for the scheme. When I go out and walk around with my blue shirt on people say when is it going to go ahead?”

To pay for the project, the trust, came up with a master plan to buy up land along the route identifying the potential for housing, camping facilities and a wetlands nature reserve to be promoted on land west of the canal that would be sold on later to developers.

The plans were largely well received by residents at the meeting, however, some raised objections to the numbers of houses.

Phil Alford, of Woodrow Road, said: “We are concerned about the proposed development on Woodrow Road as there was already talk of an application going in for the field.

“The concern is if Melksham has to find all these new houses it might put the field in jeopardy and increases the possibility for them to build on it.”

Councillor Pat Aves was far more positive and said: “It is amazing news for Melksham and it will improve the town no end. It will change the face of Melksham. It will provide jobs and will be a wonderful resource for the town. We have not seen the likes of this in England for the last 100 years.”