Zero Homes Progress

working to keep Devizes a special place

Zero New Homes Campaign - Progress.

Political Awareness

Since our campaign started all four local political parties have committed addressing the issue of traffic congestion as a priority.

We understand that the Area Board has asked for any new housing plans to be delayed until the Council has a clear policy to address traffic congestion.

This issue is now on the political agenda - we must ensure it stays there!

Legal Issues

The European Union specifies maximum levels for various pollutants. Devizes has higher levels of at least one, Nitrogen Dioxide, (as far as we are aware it doesn’t even measures any others).

The Trust’s legal advisor, a specialist in European law, insists that the Council has to ACT NOW to bring pollution levels down, otherwise it is acting illegally. The Council does not agree and wishes to take time to decide what to do about pollution, whilst, at the same time, wanting to press ahead with more new homes. If they do so, pollution is likely to get even worse! You can read why we reject the Council’s view here.

To some extent the issue is national; the government has not put forward viable plans to meet the EU standards and is now facing a judicial review from Client Earth, an environmental group.

The Trust is pressing the Council to ensure it complies fully with the legislation on other pollutants.

Health Issues

There is absolutely no doubt that the level of pollution we are experiencing in Devizes is harmful to health. Just how harmful is difficult to say.

The Trust is monitoring research into this subject and has located research papers which show that polluted air causes:

●	An increase in asthmatic children in areas of high pollution

●	Adverse effects on unborn children

●	Increase risk of heart attacks

●	Hardening of the arteries

●	Breathing difficulties in people with lung disorders

●	A shortening of life expectancy

The Trust is now pressing the Director of Public Health for Wiltshire to confirm that there are serious health implications and to press the Council to take urgent measures to reduce pollution

Traffic Congestion

The Trust continues to campaign against new housing projects which will result in additional traffic passing through the town. At the same time it is also supporting schemes which will reduce car dependency in the town. To this end we are the Council to take a number of steps to reduce car commuting, give priority to completing the Devizes Cycle Network and improve public transport.