M4 junction plans in Wiltshire face wait for decision
The planning application for large industrial and logistics buildings on land north of junction 17 of the M4 at Chippenham were submitted by Stoford Alderley in March. The scheme to redevelop the agricultural land has been extremely controversial amidst local fears it will push traffic around the motorway junction past "breaking point." Wiltshire Council had been due to determine the plans by July 23, but this decision has been delayed following a consultation that saw a large number of objections.
Among those against the project moving forward now is National Highways, and Wiltshire Council says it is waiting for more details from both the applicant and consultees before it can proceed. Cllr Adrian Foster, cabinet member for strategic planning, development management and housing, says the council remain in negotiations with the developer over a new deadline. 
"There remains a holding objection from National Highways, and we are currently seeking agreement with the applicant for a formal extension to the determination deadline. "The application has been called in to the council's planning committee by the local councillor, if the recommendation is for approval." The parish councils of Kington St Michael, Kington Langley, Sutton Benger, Dauntsey, Chippenham Without, Seagry, and Langley Burrell all objected to the scheme during an initial consultation.
National Highways, which is responsible for managing junction 17, requested the plans were not approved for at least six months from April, to allow it to determine the potential impacts on the motorway. Wiltshire Council's has also lodged a holding objection over concerns about the presence of breeding skylarks on the site. Suggested reading
Many people fear the development would create major traffic problems on the A350 and A429 around junction 17, as well as on smaller local roads near the motorway. In its design and access statement, Stoford Alderley said it had developed a detailed access and highways works plan to mitigate any impact on the road network. The firm added the scheme would be "essential to the wider economic development of Wiltshire."
The current application seeks planning permission to develop the site, but details of the appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of the scheme will be dealt with in subsequent applications.