Community Issues: The main underlying principle of the Community Plan is that it should deal with the issues that our local community think are important to economic, social and environmental well being.

The main concerns arising from the consultations are contained within the Priorities for Action, which are partnership priorities documented for the next decade, up to 2015. The wider and overall community plan is focused on these issues and we have identified those criteria pinpointed to Lyneham.

An overriding factor that will cause a long term economical effect on the community is the planned closure of Royal Air Force Lyneham. The Ministry of Defence conducted a Strategic Defence Review in 2003 and announced in July of that year, the closure of the airbase by 2012, moving the new Hercules C130J fleet to RAF Brize Norton and decommissioning the ageing Hercules C130K fleet before the station closure.

The decision will have catastrophic economic implications in the immediate area, and the "Save RAF Lyneham" task force, spearheaded by North Wiltshire MP Mr James Gray, delivered a impact study paper to the Government, which identified a potential loss of over £75M per annum in the local area. The closure will cause wide spread unemployment and massive loss of revenue if a viable development and regeneration plan and is not fully implemented.

Crime and Our Safety

Recent Government statistics have identified that Wiltshire is one of the safest places in the country, with the lowest levels of crime and disorder. However, the community plan consultations within Lyneham have addressed concern over the growing anti-social behaviour currently developing in the village.

The ensuing emergent unpleasant social trends, may be a contributary factor underlined by other concerns; the lack of local public play areas and the lack of a youth club facilities are noted. It is well known that many youth circles have identified the lack of good facilities and they consequently congregate around the village centre possibly causing alarm and intimidation among other residents.

There has always a statement made by residents of the lack of police in the rural village and the poor response time to incidents. Additional liaison with Police and more supportive of local needs and knowledge are actions to be implemented.

Litter and Dog Fouling

The plan is hoped to deliver more dog fouling bins in public places and seek to enforce appropriate bye-laws. Maybe a better education and personal pride might help reduce the growing litter trend in the village. The partnership has plans to provide more bins in the community.

It has been highlighted by the Lyneham & Bradenstoke Parish Council that the village has one of the highest concentrations of litter bins for the area, in comparison to other communities. So should we direct the concern to educating people the need to use the bins properly and take litter home if the bins are over filled.

Recycling

The community needs to work together to increase and improve recycling trends. We have received 'black box' recycling bins and wheelie bins in 2004 and it is hoped that more people will become more efficient in recycling their waste to minimise landfill.

RAF Lyneham

Key points of concern:
Implications of the closure and effects on local community.
Lack of youth work and training facilities.
Inadequate Street lighting.
Traffic Congestion especially during school runs.
Alcohol misuse and related behaviours.
Need for Neighbourhood Watch renewal. (Wiltshire and Swindon Neighbourhood Watch website Click Here)
Lack of awareness of community support opportunities

Housing

The village is fairly large in comparison to other Wiltshire villages and the every day need for housing is a priority but we must ensure that regeneration does not interfere with the protection of the rural buffer. Rigorous policies to support and maintain these buffers must be maintained. There is a lack of affordable housing and it is aimed to deliver both good quality and low cost social housing. This includes single accommodation too.

Northern Community Plan

The Northern Community Plan Area 2 (Wootton Basset and Cricklade) document can be read in full. To view the Northern Community Area Plan please click on the front page of the booklet left. Northern Community Area Plan: (PDF approx 965KB)

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How you can contribute and contact the Partnership

Please take a seat, the Northern Community Area Partnership welcomes your comments and looks forward to hearing from you. Either write directly to the Local Community Planners for this area or make initial steps to get community concerns actioned by visiting the monthly Lyneham & Bradenstoke Parish Council meetings held the second Tuesday of each month. Full details can be found in the village diary when the next meeting takes place. Click Here

John Allen
Dave Roberts
Community Planners
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
BA14 8JN
Tel: +44(0)1225 713193
Email: daveroberts@wiltshire.gov.uk
Website: www.wiltshire.gov.uk