Bishops Cannings wins boundary dispute with Devizes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Wiltshire councillors voted to transfer around 200 new homes from Devizes to Bishops Cannings parish.

Wiltshire councillors voted overwhelmingly on 20 October to resolve a long-running dispute between Bishops Cannings and Devizes over boundary lines. The vote of 88-0, with three abstentions, approved redrawing the boundary so that land containing around 200 new homes at the Lock Keeper Gardens development, north of Coate Road, will transfer from Devizes to Bishops Cannings.

Earlier this year, Devizes Town Council had proposed incorporating the semi-urban part of Bishops Cannings parish north of the Kennet and Avon Canal and south of the A361, which included around 1,200 properties and 80 per cent of the parish's residents. Bishops Cannings described this as a 'land grab'. Those proposals were rejected in March, and Wiltshire Council's community governance review has now recommended the opposite outcome.

Parish council chairman Darren Bone said residents had spoken about the council's work and impact, and about 'the power and strength of our community'. He said the parish was determined to 'preserve, protect and enhance our unique rural and semi-urban community'. The boundary change takes effect at the May 2029 local elections.

How it is being reported

• Wiltshire parish officially renamed after heated rowA Wiltshire parish has been renamed after a long dispute.Gazette & Herald · 22 Oct, 05:00
• Wiltshire parish officially renamed after heated rowA Wiltshire parish has been renamed after a long dispute.Wiltshire Times · 22 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Bishops Cannings · Devizes · Wiltshire · Darren Bone

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