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Letter to The Editor

Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2011-05-06 11:19:32 - Graham Ellis

From Today's Wiltshire Times [6th May 2011]

Dear Sir,

Your Good Friday edition carried an advert placed by Wiltshire Council looking for land to create a Community Campus in Melksham.

A single site campus to include library, swimming pool, youth centre, sports and many other facilities (perhaps even a post office, police point, tourist information, etc) makes commercial sense. If that facility was located close to the town centre it would also tick sustainability and practical useability boxes. And it would have a positive effect on the attractiveness and viability of Melksham Town Centre.

The past couple of months have seen some heated discussions concerning the possible sighting of such a campus out of town, and the manner in which consultations and the local decisions have been taken. Now is the time to move on - to forgive lacking information and harsh words, and offer support - to work with Wiltshire Council, with all members of the Area Board, and within the community to provide a facility close to the town centre that we can all take a pride in. There are several potential locations which may be available, and which would make economic sense. Melksham is not totally developed with long-life buildings.

A town centre campus would be good for Chamber of Commerce members, good for other Melksham Businesses, good for the people or Melksham - and good for people who visit the town, and good for wider Wiltshire too. And it is achievable, with us all rowing in this same direction.

Graham Ellis
President, Melksham Chamber of Commerce and Industry