I would like to reply to the letter in last week’s Wiltshire Times from Melksham Councillor Ben Anderson.

Ben claims that I, and the Liberal Democrats have opposed housing on the brownfield site of the former George Ward School.

Nothing could be further from the truth, I have never been against building on the school site, but I do have a problem with building on the former playing fields.

Local residents and myself tried to present a petition against these plans, but Conservative-controlled Wiltshire Council refused to accept it; instead they decided to give themselves planning permission brushing aside local objections.

Ben keeps referring to the Liberal Democrats opposing plans for homes on the George Ward site. As far as I know they supported the plans to build on the school site, I contacted local Lib Dem councillors asking for them to oppose these plans, and I didn’t ever get a reply. The only local councillor to support local residents was town Councillor Pam Wiltshire.

Local residents have launched a petition against any plans to build on Shurnhold Farm, and I would urge everyone to sign it, including Ben Anderson, at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/no-to-275-new-homes-being-built-on-farmland-at-shurnhold-melksham-wiltshire

Councillor Terry Chivers, Eden Grove, Whitley, Melksham.