PRESHUTE is now officially locked out of further discussions over what happens to the Marlborough area in the coming decades.

It pulled out from talks on the area's Neighbourhood Plan, saying is 'not fit for purpose' as it focusses on large scale housing development in the Marlborough area, adding: "our concerns have either been ignored or not considered seriously."

Preshute Parish Council - representing around 193 residents in the Manton and Lockeridge area unanimously voted to leave the Area Neighbourhood Plan in mid July fearing the plan would see Marlborough turned into a dormitory town for Swindon, adding that there were no 'realistic proposals' to the High Street in a post-pandemic world.

Marlborough town council this week voted unanimously to agree that the new Neighbourhood Area should comprise of the parishes of Marlborough, Mildenhall and Savernake, cutting Preshute from the conversation.

"We believe the proposed plan, focusing as it does on further large scale housing development in the Marlborough area, is not fit for purpose," said Preshute parish council chair Cllr Peter Morgan.

"It is based on flimsy evidence of need and prioritises continued large scale development on protected greenfield land outside the town's boundary rather than available, previously used or brownfield land within the town. The draft plan aims to increase the population significantly without proper regard to its impact on already overstretched physical and social infrastructure.

"Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the draft plan is that there is nothing that sets out a clear and exciting vision for Marlborough. As a community of parishes, we must work hard to keep Marlborough special, and provide the catalyst to develop a thriving working community with strong infrastructure and have that Wow! factor."