We would like to voice our strong feelings against the way the vote was taken and also the end result, after the Wiltshire Council Strategic Planning committee meeting in Trowbridge which, by a majority vote, gave permission to the proposed Hawkeridge Business Park development, Mill Lane, Hawkeridge.

The committee in attendance was made up of councillors, most of who live out of our area, i.e. Marlborough, Salisbury, Calne and Amesbury. Only two live in Westbury.

How can these gentlemen possibly know the impact of any development in an area without first being familiar with it? Looking at plans and photos is simply not enough to give a balanced decision.

Are three spokespeople representing each side enough? We each have our own independent thoughts on situations that have a right to be heard.

Three minutes per spokesperson with a total of nine minutes per side is really not adequate and in our opinion is not a fair representation.

The meeting took place at 10.30am when most people are at work, unable to take time off without financial implications. Surely such important debates could take place in the evenings, allowing everyone interested to attend.

Age should also be taken into consideration. ‘The future of Westbury’ was a phrase consistently used by the committee members (who were themselves not really spring chickens). Such decisions affecting future generations should include younger representation, i.e. youth clubs, school forums and debating societies.

A female representative would also be refreshing.

There are numerous reasons that we object to this proposed Business Park and to list all of them would take too much space, but here are some: No thought has been given by the committee to the current residents of Mill Lane, Hawkeridge village, Heywood village and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Smack bang in the middle of the proposed business park is a Grade-II listed farmhouse with existing homes plus small businesses.

The effect this development will have on their quality of life is unimaginable, bearing in mind it simply is not needed.

We are surrounded by empty offices and units, we do not need more. West Wilts Trading Estate and White Horse Business Park are currently advertising available units to rent or buy.

Our wonderful countryside is being swallowed up by property developers. There are, we understand, 108 acres of approved brownfield sites that already have planning permission so build on those first. If we are not careful there will be no countryside left in Wiltshire for future generations to enjoy.

We acknowledge the need for housing and employment in our area but feel this decision is flawed in more ways than one, basically though, with all the empty units, its simply is not needed and in all likelihood will stand with vacant units blotting our countryside. People of Westbury, Trowbridge and surrounding villages, if you feel the same way we do, take an interest, let your voice and thoughts be heard by writing to the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, write to our MP Andrew Murrison, have a look at the HAGS website www.hawkeridge.org Young people of Westbury, take an interest in your local area, have a look and enjoy your current countryside, as we fear it may disappear unless we all fight ridiculous proposals such as this.

Even if we cannot stop this development, the current way such decisions are taken needs changing so that our future living environments are not dictated to us by people not living in our neighbourhoods.

Chris and Su Ager, Hawkeridge.