News

Planning Meeting 16^th July – Key Decisions and Updates

ℹ️ Noted:  PL/2025/02340 425 Homes at Land at Midge Hall Farm and PL/2025/06988 Anaerobic Digestion Facility at Land at Park Grounds were taken to Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee meeting on 16^th June for determination. The Chair, Councillor Walls and Councillor Taylor attended and both spoke on a respective application, continuing to raise the council’s concerns for each application. However, both applications were granted permission by Wiltshire Council, subject to Section 106 agreement.

ℹ️ Noted: Wiltshire Local Plan had commenced with a notice for “Call for Sites’ advertised, finishing on 30^th September 2026.

✅ Councillor Caitlin Woodfield was appointed to the committee, filling the vacancy to complete the numbers required.

ℹ️ Noted: Draft Neighbourhood Plan 2 Regulation 16 public consultation had finished and a Planning Inspector had been appointed to examine the draft plan, starting 20^th July 2026.

✅ Agreed to submit no representations regarding the premise licence application by New Bassett Spice on the High Street.

✅ Date of the next meeting – Thursday 3^rd September 2026 .

Wootton Bassett Town Hall & Trust Charity meeting 16^th July – Key Decisions and Updates

✅ Accounts for year ending 31/03/26 were approved and signed.

💡 Thoughts on how to improve the museum’s accessibility were discussed and suggestions including use of VR headsets and remote museum displays in different locations around the town and these will be explored for the next Trust meeting.

✅ Agreed to write a letter of thanks to the museum volunteers thanking them for their time and effort they put into the museum.

✅ Date of the next meeting – Thursday 4th February 2027

Full Council meeting 16^th July – Key Decisions and Updates

ℹ️ Verbal updates received from Sarah Gibson MP and Cllr Martin Denz for Wiltshire Council

ℹ️ Agreed to entering a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town Council and

Wilts Berks and Canal Trust, subject to amendments.

🛹    Approved the Skatepark Project to proceed with the preferred location, planning application, all statutory searches and reports, fund raising and grant applications, further consultation and engagement etc.

As part of the project so far, to establish the preferred location, all council owned open spaces were assessed and confirmed as not suitable due to the proximity to housing.

🚦 Noted the Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) data report for June 2025 – June 2026.

✅ LHIFG funding and requests agreed.

✅ Agreed to not adopt a Councillor Allowances Scheme.

✅      Agreed to explore the possibility of increasing parking spaces at Church Street.

✅       Councillors Steve Bucknell, Katherine Wilson & Caitlin Woodfield were appointed to the Springfield Park Working Group

✅        Councillors Ola Akinola, Steve Bucknell, Carole Tan, Barry Taylor, Steve Walls and Caitlin Woodfield were appointed to the Local Plan Working Group.

✅        Adopted the new Open Spaces Policy and Agreement for bookings in Town Council owned open spaces.

✅ Approved the new Employee Handbook.

Full minutes can be found on the Calendar of Meetings.

🗣️ Resident Feedback Encouraged – Attend Meetings| Submit questions to your local Town Councillor| Sign up to My Bassett – online reporting, enquiries and applications.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council is delighted to announce that six local organisations have been awarded a share of this year’s £10,000 Community Grant Aid Fund, supporting projects that will improve the lives of residents and strengthen our community. 

The Community Grant Aid scheme provides funding to local groups and organisations whose projects deliver clear benefits for people living in Royal Wootton Bassett. From improving community safety and supporting health and wellbeing to bringing people together, strengthening community connections and creating opportunities for the local community, this year’s successful projects showcase the wide range of voluntary and community work taking place across the town. 

At the Grants, Revenue & Resources Committee meeting, held on Thursday 9^th July, members of the committee heard first-hand about the inspiring work and the meaningful messages behind these local organisations and the positive impact this funding will have in the months ahead. 

The successful applicants are as follows:  

Crimestoppers Swindon and Wiltshire:  

Crimestoppers were awarded £175 towards the costs of a project which will work towards raising awareness to residents of their anonymous reporting services through social media platforms. The organisation is also determined to help tackle neighbourhood crimes such as anti-social behaviour, violence, criminal damage, and burglary in Royal Wootton Bassett.  

Find out more about Crimestoppers at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ 

Bassett Breasties 

Bassett Breasties were awarded £2000 in funding to help support the ongoing running costs of their free breastfeeding support drop-in group based in Royal Wootton Bassett. The funding would allow them to continue providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for parents and caregivers by contributing towards venue hire costs, continued training and up-to-dates breastfeeding education, information leaflets and more.  

Find out more about Bassett Breasties at: https://bassettbreasties.com/ 

Swindon Community First Responders  

Swindon Community First Responders were awarded £1614 towards the purchase of these bleed kits with dispensers. The project will help improve community safety by making lifesaving equipment available in areas identified through local crime data in the last two years, discussion with the police and advice from a Paramedic lead for bleed kits. While often associated with knife crime, the kits can be used for any severe bleed, helping to reduce the risk of death in a case of emergency and supporting the Council’s objective of creating a Healthy and Safe Bassett.  

To find out more you can visit: https://www.swast.nhs.uk/community-first-responders 

Wiltshire Police 

Wiltshire Police were awarded £360 towards the costs of these bike marking kits. This project aims to deter bike theft and provide greater peace of mind for owners by making bikes easier to identify and recover. With many people relying on bikes as an affordable and sustainable means for transport, especially during the rise of living costs, the scheme will help protect important assets that can have a significant impact on an individual or family’s daily life if lost. 

Find out more about Wiltshire Police at: https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/ 

Beyond Dementia 

Beyond Dementia has been awarded £1120 towards their Dementia Home Support project, which provides vital companionship for people living with dementia and valuable rest for their carers. Through regular home visits, trained support workers help individuals take part in activities they enjoy, maintain important routines and stay engaged with everyday life. The service also gives carers valuable time to rest, complete everyday tasks or simply take a break, while knowing their loved one is in safe and supportive hands. This project aims to transform everyday moments into meaningful experiences for individuals living with memory loss and for families who love them.  

Find out more about Beyond Dementia at: https://beyonddementia.org.uk/ 

Tabula Rasa Community Kitchen 

Tabula Rasa Community Kitchen was awarded £1000 towards their Recovery Course project. This project works by providing structured support for individuals experiencing addiction through an 11-step recovery programme delivered in a safe and welcoming environment. The project will help participants improve their physical and mental wellbeing, build positive relationships, and develop the tools needed to maintain long-term recovery. By supporting people to overcome addiction, the programme is aimed to reduce social isolation and anti-social behaviour, contributing to a healthier and safer Bassett for residents of all ages.  

Find out more about Tabula Rasa Community Kitchen at: https://linktr.ee/curtisdylan1975 

The Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) on Marlborough Road and Stoneover Lane have been rotated this month to face the direction where recorded data showed vehicles were speeding away from the units.

The Town Council has also submitted a traffic survey request for Marlborough Road to gather the evidence needed for its inclusion in the Community Speed Watch scheme, which is currently being set up in the town.

From July, residents will also be able to view monthly summary data reports for the four SIDs located around the town on this website.

SIDs are an important part of local road safety, giving drivers instant feedback on their speed and encouraging safer driving habits in areas where speeding has been recorded.

Community benefits of SIDs include:
• Improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users
• Increasing driver awareness in both directions of travel
• Supporting traffic calming efforts and providing local data to inform future road safety decisions

This initiative forms part of Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council’s ongoing commitment to creating safer, more welcoming streets for everyone.

Thank you for working with us to help make Royal Wootton Bassett’s streets safer for everyone.

📅 Thursday 16th July 2026
🕖 From 6.30pm
📍 The Council Chamber, The Manor House, Lime Kiln, SN4 7GJ

Members of the public and press are warmly invited to attend.

🕖 6.30pm – Planning Committee – Items for discussion and decision:

• Premises License Application – New Bassett Spice
• Communications

🕖 7.00pm – Town Hall & Trust Charity – Items for discussion and decision:

• Finance and Accounts 25/26
• RWB Museum Group Update
• Communications

🕖 7.15pm – Full Council -Agenda items for decision and discussion:

• Partnership and Councillors Updates
• Mayor’s Update
• Chief Officer’s Report
• Wilts Berks Canal Trust – Memorandum of Understanding
• Skatepark Update Report
• SID Data
• LHFIG Budget and Requests
• Councillors Allowances
• Church Street Parking Proposal
• Working Group Memberships
• Open Spaces Policy & Agreement
• Employee Handbook
• Communications
• To enter into Private Session for the following items due to commercially sensitive information
• Merchants House
• Unit 29 Roof Repairs
• National Honours

To view full agendas and supporting information please visit the calendar of meetings on our website. 

We are pleased to announce that any open letters sent by the Town Council to partner organisations and agencies will now be published in the Council Documents folder on our website, providing greater transparency and easier public access to our correspondence on important local issues.

The folder now includes a letter sent in February 2026 to the Leader of Wiltshire Council expressing the Town Council’s opposition to the proposed closures of Household Recycling Centres. The letter outlines concerns about the potential impact on residents and calls for the proposals to be reconsidered.

Residents can view this and future open letters in the Council Documents folder on the website.

Each year the Town Council’s Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd. As it is yet to be reviewed by the appointed auditor, it is subject to change as a result of that review.

Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2026, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:

Taryn Frost – Finance Manager for the Town Council – finance@royalwoottonbassett.gov.uk

Please see the Notice of Public Rights to Inspect Accounts which details the notice in full with a summary of your rights.

Please see the AGAR 2025-2026 folder for all AGAR (unaudited) documents.

Armed Forces Day is an annual event in the UK dedicated to recognising and celebrating the work, commitment and sacrifices of the country’s Armed Forces. It usually takes place in late June, with a week of activities leading up to it known as Armed Forces Week. 

The Town Council and the Royal British Legion will host a ceremonial parade and community event on Saturday 27^th June 2026 to mark the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant. This event reaffirms our commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families and provides a great opportunity for the community to come together in recognition of their honourable service.  

This event will take place at the War Memorial on the High Street; the ceremony will begin at 10:30am and conclude at approximately 11:30am. A road closure will be in place from 10:00am to 12:00 noon to ensure the safety of all participates and attendees, with stewards and marshals positioned.  

Travelling by bus, then please click for information whilst the road is closed for the ceremony.

The ceremony will include serving Armed Forces personnel, reservists and cadet forces (where available), alongside civic representatives and members of the public.  

Please click for Order of Service on the day. 

A short welcome by the Royal British Legion will be followed by the formal signing of the Armed Forces Covenant. Prayers, Act of Commitment and a Blessing for the Armed Forces community will also form part of the ceremony led by the Mayor’s Chaplain in honour and remembrance for those who serve and have served. Finally, the National Anthem will be played and sung by the parade. 

Members of the public are all warmly invited to attend and observe this important civic event.

A Skatepark for our Town

Building Skills, Community, and Healthy Futures!

The development of a new skatepark in our town marks an exciting milestone, not just for skaters, but for the whole community. Much more than a recreational space, the skatepark will become a vibrant hub for active lifestyles, youth development, and community connection. It represents an investment in the wellbeing of current and future generations, offering a place where people of all ages can learn, grow, and belong.

Creating a Space for Active, Healthy Living

Skateboarding, scootering, rollerblading, and BMX riding are fun, dynamic ways to stay active. They promote cardiovascular fitness, balance, coordination, and strength. In a world where young people increasingly face the draw of screen time, the skatepark will offer an enticing alternative: a safe place to be outdoors, moving, socialising, and exercising, all without the barriers of cost or membership.

For many, skateparks are the first place they discover the joy of physical activity that’s unstructured, inclusive, and truly accessible. Whether someone is attempting their first push across the concrete or working on advanced tricks, the skatepark will encourage healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Supporting Learning, Resilience, and Personal Growth

Action sports teach valuable life skills that extend well beyond the ramps. Learning to skate involves persistence, patience, and the willingness to try again after setbacks, qualities that build resilience and confidence. The skatepark will provide a dedicated environment where young people can challenge themselves at their own pace and celebrate progress, big or small.

The culture around skateboarding is also one of peer learning. Riders encourage each other, share advice, and celebrate success. This natural mentoring fosters social skills, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. For many young people, the skatepark becomes a second home: a place where they feel supported, motivated, and part of something positive.

A Safe and Purpose-Built Environment

Before the development of the skatepark, riders may have practised in car parks, streets, or other unsuitable areas, raising both safety concerns and difficulties for local residents. Creating a designated, professionally designed skatepark provides a much safer environment for everyone. Smooth surfaces, appropriate obstacles, and clear visibility help reduce the risk of injuries while encouraging more young people to participate.

The new skatepark will also reduce the pressure on other public spaces, ensuring the town remains safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all.

Strengthening Community Connections

A skatepark is more than a collection of ramps, it’s a meeting place. Parents, children, teenagers, and adults alike can gather to watch, learn, and take part. It provides an inclusive space where different groups come together, strengthening community bonds across ages and backgrounds.

Events such as skate workshops, competitions, and community sessions can further enhance engagement and bring fresh energy to the town. These occasions create opportunities for local businesses, support youth development, and foster a spirit of pride and togetherness.

Boosting the Town’s Appeal and Future Opportunities

Modern skateparks are widely recognised as important community amenities. They attract visitors, enhance local parks, and demonstrate that a town values young people and active lifestyles. Investing in a skatepark shows long-term commitment to creating vibrant, well-rounded public spaces that serve the entire community.

In the future, the skatepark can also become a base for coaching programmes, youth outreach, and partnerships with schools or sports organisations, helping even more people to discover new hobbies and healthy habits.

So, what is currently happening……?

Following the appointment of our partner Maverick Industries Ltd, we hosted a visit to Royal Wootton Bassett to review potential sites owned by the Town Council. There are strict rules with the development and location of a new skatepark, and Maverick Industries Ltd have guided us on this. 

Each of our playparks have been assessed, and none are suitable, mainly due to the proximity of houses. An area at Jubilee Lake was also reviewed, but here the space is not sufficient for the design of the skatepark we are considering. 

Over the past two years we have had discussions with developers and other landowners, but these options have not led to any firm commitments to either building a skatepark, or allowing a skatepark to be built. 

At the Full Council meeting on 12^th March 2026, the Chief Officer updated the council on the review of sites, and currently the preferred site is a small area of the 48-acre country park, near the railway line with access via Country Park Way, and the other entrances to the country park.

Our skatepark design questionnaire is currently live, and so far, has received nearly 800 responses; thanks to everyone who has taken the time to complete it.

The Bassett Skatepark Working Group, which includes residents, skaters, businesses and the town council, will meet with Maverick Industries Ltd, on 16^th April, to start a review of the initial design suggestions. 

On Monday 20^th April, Maverick Industries Ltd are hosting a series of design workshops, starting with our local primary schools, then a lunchtime session at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, an after-school session for Academy students and their parents, followed by an evening design workshop for the wider community. 

Once the design of the skatepark is drafted, Maverick Industries Ltd will provide designs to show how a modern skatepark can be integrated into a country park area, as has been created in many other towns across the country, with appropriate landscaping. 

A full consultation process will then follow, along with any statutory requirements for the development of a skatepark. 

A chance to have a go………….

On Saturday 9^th May 2026, we will be holding a pop-up Skatepark with King Ramps including demonstrations by pro-riders. This event will be at The Manor House, Lime Kiln.

More details to follow on this exciting event! 

We are very grateful to the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Area Board for approving a grant towards this event. 

It is clear from the engagement that has already taken place, there is plenty of support for Bassett to have a skatepark, and it has been a long-term aim of the Town Council for many many years. 

With our Skatepark Working Group, and Maverick Industries Ltd, we will continue the community engagement – and also continuing the work for the funding of the project. 

We have started various grant applications and fund raising, we have already received offers of donations from local businesses and residents, which is fantastic, and commitment for funding from a developer. The costs of the project will between £400-500k, so a significant amount of money to raise. 

If you are interested in contributing towards the cost of the new Bassett Skatepark, please do contact the Town Council. 

A Space Built for Everyone

One of the greatest strengths of a skatepark is its inclusivity. It welcomes all ages, abilities, and styles. You don’t need a team, a coach, or expensive equipment, just a board, scooter, or bike and the enthusiasm to get started. 

It is a place where creativity, movement, and community intersect, and where everyone has the chance to grow.

What an exciting project for our town! 

Mark Hopkins

Chief Officer

Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council is pleased to announce the revival of the Community Speed Watch (CSW) scheme. The decision to work with Wiltshire Police to relaunch the initiative was made at the Council meeting on Thursday 20^th July 2023, after the scheme was paused during the Covid pandemic.

Community Speed Watch gives local residents the opportunity to help monitor vehicle speeds in their area. All recorded formation is passed to Wiltshire police.

Following extensive discussions with Wiltshire Police and traffic surveys on roads where residents raised concerns about speeding, the Council is pleased to confirm that, thanks to the positive community response, a Team Leader and several volunteers have come forward. 

Whitehill Lane has been chosen as the first location to launch the scheme.

Once volunteers have completed the required vetting and training, they will begin monitoring speeds.

If you would like to join the team and support this initiative, you can submit an expression of interest via the Wiltshire & Swindon PCC website: 

https://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/volunteer/community-speedwatch/

The Town Council is pleased to announce that it has completed the purchase of land to the west of Springfield Crescent, from Persimmon Homes.

This important acquisition secures the site for the future benefit of our community. The Town Council’s long-term vision is to develop the land into a Town Park, creating a welcoming green space for residents and visitors to enjoy, with open views across the surrounding countryside.

Residents will recall a few months ago the concern caused when this large area of land was put up for auction and reportedly sold to unknown buyers. Concerns were expressed on social media and directly to Town Councillors.

This area of land was already earmarked in the Neighbourhood Plan (2017 – 2026) as a Town Park, so the Town Council made enquiries and soon discovered that the sale had not gone through. And following negotiations between the Town Council and Persimmon Homes, the Town Council completed the purchase, paid for from the reserves of the Town Council, and will not impact the precept.

John Gantlett, Persimmon Homes Wessex Land and Planning director said: “We’re delighted to support the Town Council’s vision for a new community park. This land transfer reflects our commitment to creating spaces that enhance local life and provide lasting benefits for residents.”

And Mayor, Cllr Steve Bucknell, who has been the driving force behind the idea of a Town Park close to the High Street, added: “This important acquisition secures the site for the future benefit of our community. The Town Council’s long-term vision is to develop the land into a Town Park. This idea was first proposed nearly 20 years ago after a survey revealed the town’s need to improve dwell time, how long people stay in the town, supporting the long-term viability of the High Street and the Town Centre as a whole.

A Town Park will create a welcoming green space for residents and visitors to enjoy, with open views across the surrounding countryside.

In the short term we hope to work with RWB Environmental Trust and other volunteers to clean the site up. There are steep drops into the site from Springfield Crescent, and longer-term residents of the town will be aware that the land used to contain a large pond and an orchard. It is currently heavily overgrown and has been victim of some fly-tipping over the years”.

Further updates will be shared as plans progress, but this purchase marks a positive step towards enhancing local green spaces and quality of life in our town.