Army Rebasing at Larkhill South of The Packway

Roving Reporter

/ #32 Army Rebasing In Wiltshire

2014-03-14 21:08

Having lived beside A345 road in Durrington for 38 years, I have witnessed many changes in and around this area, and to change use of agricultural schedule 1 land beside it for Army housing would be catastrophic for the wildlife that rely on it. The Skylarks, which Larkhill gets it's name from, will disappear along with Buzzards, Owls and other birds of prey. Deer, badgers, foxes, hares and rabbits have frequently been seen roaming from the ranges to sheltered in the crops, mature woodland and Martins Bushes that runs beside it. Bats and visiting swallows regularly use it as a feeding corridor.
This farmland and other proposed greenfield sites must have uncharted archaeology also on it, or does English Heritage think our ancient ancestors did not settle or use areas other side of A345 and B3086. Building material that has not yet be identified as ancient or more recent, have been found on the top soil. I thought the MOD supported conservation and archaeology on their land.
There are other demolished sites in past that they should consider, at the old SWW camp at Netheravon and Carter Barracks in Bulford as well as where old barracks stood in Larkhill Garrison. At the end of the day common sense should prevail for all concerned.