Marie Lennon

Residents of the 350-home Abbey Farm estate in North Swindon fear they could be charged nearly £200,000 for unfinished flood management, landscaping and play-park work if responsibility transfers to a management company. Resident Joe Tomkinson and Conservative councillor Kate Tomlinson accuse developers Redrow and Vistry of failing to complete their obligations and engage with the council. Vistry says outstanding issues, mainly involving approval of open-space and landscaping works, are being reviewed. The Home Owners Alliance says disputes over new-build estates are increasing and calls for legislation giving residents more power over management companies.

Threats and abuse experienced by politicians in western England have prompted renewed calls to strengthen security for MPs following Ann Widdecombe’s death. Former MP Robert Buckland, who is reviewing the murder of David Amess, supports improved constituency protection but rejects mandatory round-the-clock bodyguards as excessive and potentially damaging to public access. Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance argues that MPs need full-time security because threats occur during ordinary daily activities, while councillor Laura Mayes describes the impact of sustained abuse. Security expert Philip Grindell says online threats are increasing but do not necessarily indicate a high likelihood of physical attack. The review is expected to make recommendations later in the year.

Wiltshire farmers are increasingly diversifying into attractions such as maize mazes and sunflower fields because rising fuel costs, low crop prices and extreme weather are undermining the profitability of traditional agriculture. Third-generation farmer Jeremy Stokes says his farm has had to move away from its historic focus on expanding livestock and acreage, while farmers near Chippenham describe visitor attractions as critical to their businesses. The National Farmers’ Union warns that these pressures threaten business confidence and says resilience and food security should be national priorities. The government says it is providing farmers with funding, tools and opportunities as it seeks to increase domestic food production.

Wiltshire Council agreed to pay the owner of Castle Place more than £2.5m to assume control of the adjoining St Stephen's Place car park, demolish it along with the shopping centre, and redevelop the site. The plan has raised concerns for the Ruksak charity, which operates in the shopping centre and fears losing its premises due to its month‑to‑month licence. Supporters argue the ageing car park is a costly liability, while Reform UK councillors warn of uncertainty if no developer is secured. A petition of about 900 residents has called for public consultation on the site’s future.

Plans to close eight rural fire stations in Wiltshire have been paused after Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it would seek government approval to raise its council tax precept. The Fire and Rescue Authority recommended that closures could still proceed if the request is denied. Councillors debated the financial uncertainty while the service highlighted previous savings, an ongoing budget deficit, and the need for long‑term stability to modernise equipment, vehicles and stations. The Fire Brigades Union raised safety concerns, particularly about reducing crew sizes on appliances, as the service prepares for a three‑year modernisation programme.