Councillors in Slanging Match over Stalled Development

In what was one debate amongst a series of tense exchanges, the leader of Wiltshire Council and the leader of the council’s Liberal Democrats have clashed over the lack of progress on a Stone Circle development.

The Priestly Grove site in Calne has been described by nearby residents as an “abandoned eyesore” after progress has stalled for months on the council-owned Stone Circle housing company’s development.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, Ian Thorn, claimed the process had been an “utter shambles”, whilst council leader Richard Clewer maintained that the council had done what it could.

Addressing the leader at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, November 19, Cllr Thorn said:

“The reputational damage to Wiltshire Council as the sole shareholder of Stone Circle amongst the poor residents, who have had to look out of their windows to not even a half-finished development for months and months and months, has been absolutely shocking.”

Cllr Clewer explained:

“We are continuing to monitor Stone Circle and make sure that we as the shareholder are getting a full understanding of what is going on and how they are carrying out work according to their business plan.”

Referring to issues that occur with contractors in the building industry, he added: “Can we stop it? No.

“Can we try to make sure the contracts are there from a council perspective to avoid it? Yes.

“Can we ask Stone Circle to do the same? Yes.

“I don’t see beyond that what we can do, issues arise in construction, they always have, they always will.”

As Cllr Thorn pushed for the right to ask additional questions, the councillors began shouting over each other, with Cllr Clewer being told to

“have some respect for the people, for god’s sake” and Cllr Thorn being told to

“save the politics for full council”.

Cllr Ian Thorn (left) and Cllr Richard Clewer (right). (Image: Wiltshire Council)

According to the council, the contractor Gaughan Group decided part way through the build of the nine units at Priestly Grove that it could not complete the project.

Nearby residents have complained about materials “strewn around” and “wasting away” with an “unknown timescale” for completion.

In the question originally submitted to cabinet, Cllr Thorn said:

“At a meeting with residents, they were told that a new contractor would be appointed before the end of October and that residents would start to receive a monthly newsletter.

“Since then, there has been radio silence.

“A resident had his vehicle damaged by contractors and it is proving impossible to engage Stone Circle and their insurers.”

In a written response, the council stated: “It has taken longer than we wanted to take all the necessary steps for Stone Circle to receive the site back from Gaughan Group in order to be able to commission a new contractor.

“It is anticipated that process will conclude shortly.

“The Chairman of Stone Circle met local residents on site to explain the delay and agreed to provide further updates.

“The next update is anticipated in January 2025.

“In relation to the vehicle damage the liability rests with Gaughan Group and the appropriate contact details have been provided.

“Stone Circle remain committed to delivering nine new homes on site and maintaining a positive and timely dialogue with local residents.”

Stone Circle is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wiltshire Council that was set up in 2019.

It is comprised of the holding company, Stone Circle Development Company and Stone Circle Housing Company, which purchases residential property.

Source: Wiltshire Times