Minutes of the Planning & Highways Committee (P&H) held at 7pm on Tuesday 4^{th} August 2026 in the Council Chamber, Shaftesbury Town Hall

Members Summoned and Present: P&H Councillors: Cllrs Elmendorff (Chair), Barratt (Vice-Chair), Dibben, Edwyn-Jones, Hollingshead, Smith and Yeo

Absent: None

Officers Present: Matthew Harrison (Town Clerk) and Billy Maddock (Deputy Town Clerk)

In Attendance: Oliver Ansell (Grassroots Planning), Cllr Loader, Cllr Daultrey (online), Public (17), Press (1), Online (2)

Public Participation

• Resident of Maple Road raised concerns about the proposed Hopkins development and argued that it should be considered within the context of the town's wider strategic planning rather than as a standalone project. The flow of traffic and future traffic impacts must be assessed, not just current traffic levels. Although the current plans do not include a connection between the proposed development and existing residential areas, such a link could easily be created in the future. Without the proposed Relief Road, any future connection could become a convenient shortcut, increasing traffic, including HGVs, through residential streets such as Maple Road and Allen Road. These roads were designed as 20 mph residential streets and are not suited to large volumes of through traffic. Increased traffic could also affect Wincombe Lane, which already carries BV Dairy traffic past the local school, raising safety concerns for children. Concerns were also raised about the cross-border relationship between Dorset and Wiltshire.
• Richard Thomas, Chair of Sustainable Shaftesbury, would like to recognise the passing of Kate Pickard, which is very sad news. She was an unsung hero.

In relation to the Hopkins proposal, he stated that three fundamental items are incorrect with the proposal. Firstly, it ignores the Masterplan which includes the Spine Road linking A30 with Wincombe Lane – this plan put forward does not include that. Secondly, it ignores the bypass corridor and thirdly it ignores the Green Wheel project which is planned to surround Shaftesbury with a nature friendly ring with spokes from the town centre into the countryside. He urged the agent to put to Hopkins to redraw the plan to include the Spine Road, space for bypass corridor and link countryside with town centre.

• Owners of Anketil Farm near Abbey School confirmed that they will be submitting a planning application for the demolition of bungalow and reinstatement of it plus building an additional dwelling. The area for the proposed car park will stay available if the school requires it in the future.
• Great Ground resident voiced his disappointment that this development is considered. If this council supports this then members would not support their residents. The land should be donated to the town as a green open space.

The clerk confirmed that Shaftesbury Town Council already responded to the consultation voicing concerns and objections with the letter sent being available in July 2026 Planning & Highways minutes.