South Wiltshire Core Strategy - Wiltshire Council

6. Delivering the Vision - the spatial strategy for
south Wiltshire
6.1 This chapter describes the spatial strategy (or actions) that will be implemented to
tackle the challenges and realise the vision and objectives described in previous
chapters.
6.2 The Settlement Strategy and defining Community Areas.
South Wiltshire is a diverse area and the challenges within it vary greatly, therefore it
is important to develop a set of policies which are tailored to respond to the spatially
distinctive issues arising. To align policy solutions to areas where issues are arising,
the Strategy is based on existing Community Areas. These areas were devised to
reflect ‘natural’ communities defined in terms of real patterns of local life (shopping,
employment, schooling etc) 42 and are still relevant today. The continued importance
of the community areas is illustrated by Wiltshire Council making them the focus for
the new Area Boards, which are central to delivering localised service outcomes. The
spatial areas are illustrated in Map 2 below:
Map 2: Community Areas - the spatial basis for this Strategy
6.3 Within these community areas the approach is to plan as far as possible for selfcontained
settlements. This means focusing growth around settlements with a range
of facilities, where local housing, service and employment needs can be met in a
sustainable manner. This approach is based on national guidance and best
42 see J. Chandler, 'A Sense of Belonging - History, Community and the New Wiltshire' , pub EX Libris
Press 1998. This book provided much of the analytical basis for the creation of the Community
Planning areas in south Wiltshire.
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