RESIDENTS in West Ashton are being asked to give their views on the village Neighbourhood Plan.

The West Ashton parish council will begin a six-week consultation on Monday February 17 which will end on Monday, March 30.

West Ashton Parish Council chairman Cllr Richard Covington said: "The West Ashton Neighbourhood Plan aims to protect the special characteristics of the village and its rural setting.

"Key to this, is our aim for the parish to benefit from the huge housing development in Ashton Park, to help create a safe rural environment and relationship with the surrounding countryside.

"We would urge residents, and those with an interest in the village, to please submit their comments to this consultation."

Carol Hackett, a member of the West Ashton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: "The plan was developed to ensure West Ashton remains a largely rural parish, absorbing a well-screened and designed Ashton Park urban extension into a landscape that remains predominantly green with open views.

"The main village will continue its own separate identity from Trowbridge," she said.

Events are planned at West Ashton Village Hall on Friday, February 28 from 10.30am to12 noon, and on Tuesday, March 24 from 7.15pm to 9.15pm. Hard copies of the plan will be available.

The plan looks forward to 2026 and is intended to coincide with the Wiltshire Core Strategy, which does not envisage anything except limited development in West Ashton.

More significant changes are proposed through the Ashton Park Urban Extension to the west of the parish, which could see 2,000 new homes being built.

While it is recognised that Ashton Park would bring some benefits to the community, the NDP also highlights the potential impacts on the village from the new housing planned.

The new homes proposed would extend the urban area into the open land between West Ashton and Trowbridge.

The parish council's objectives are to:

1. Maintain the rural setting of the parish, especially around the main village of West Ashton and the hamlets of Dunge, East Town, Heath Hill and Rood Ashton but also in terms of far-reaching views towards Trowbridge

2. Improve sustainable transport links in the parish, especially those to Trowbridge, Westbury & Melksham.

3. Improve local facilities including those for recreation, a local shop and / or Post Office.

4. Protect valued Local Green Space.

5. Encourage limited housing growth for local needs via modest scale development such as infill, especially self-build and housing of a high environmental standard.

6. Use good design to protect heritage, improve local habitats, preserve rural character that makes West Ashton special and encourage sustainable buildings.

7. Tackle local highway issues such as speeding and non-farm HGV traffic.

8. Conserve and enhance local nature and their habitats including bats.

9. Protect and enhance the Village Hall and Church.

10. Tackle climate change and its effects through design and maintenance of drainage.