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THE campaign to save the ancient bridleway of Quakers Walk from interference from developers received a massive boost at a public meeting this week.

Organisers at the newly formed Quakers Walk Protection Group were expecting a maximum of around 70 people at the meeting at the Bell by the Green on Tuesday but in the event over 100 turned up.

Steve Dixon from the group said: "We were quite overwhelmed. And the best bit was that at least half a dozen have agreed to take on specific jobs in the campaign, which will take the pressure off the rest of us.

"There were a lot of concerns about the Quakers Walk development in general, but we have to concentrate on Quakers Walk itself and make sure that nothing is done to jeopardise it.

"A show of hands showed us that the most people want doing there is putting down some scalpings to make it more level. Other than that, people just want it left alone."

Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes together want to build 244 homes on a piece of land between police headquarters on London Road and Quakers Walk.

They are to submit a detailed planning application to Kennet District Council in the next few weeks.

The land has outline planning permission for around 230 homes, but among the conditions of the permission are surfacing and lighting along the bridleway.

Local residents are horrified by this and are lobbying Kennet to allow the developers to ignore these conditions.

They fear that lighting will discourage wildlife in the area and surfacing and the opening of the huge gates at the hospital end of the walk will encourage motorcyclists and 4x4 drivers to use it.

The developers' planning consultants, Pegasus, have organised a second consultation event at Devizes Sports Club next Monday, May 19, from 4pm to 8pm, with a public forum at 7pm.

10:20am Friday 9th May 2008

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