NEVER in a million years did I think I’d find myself in agreement with Persimmon Homes.

But there you go, never say never, it’s best to maintain a flexible attitude at all times, and I’d recommend it to our MPs as they dig themselves deeper into their warring trenches over Brexit.

Politics aside, I’m talking about the latest look by a government inspector at housing development sites around Salisbury.

Guess what? It’ll be in Trowbridge. Pop in for a listen if you’ve got a spare day and don’t mind spending half of it driving there and back.

Starting on Tuesday, April 2, and lasting two weeks because its remit is Wiltshire-wide, this ‘public examination’ might sound like a yawnathon, and probably will be.

But dig among the acres of online paperwork and you’ll see it’s pretty important to our future here.

Reading these submissions – at wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-housing-sites-examination – took me far longer than I’m paid for.

But it did provide a few wry smiles. Mostly at the prospect of a bunfight between costly consultants hired by Persimmon, Bovis and Bloor Homes over who ought to be allowed to cash in first by concreting over which particular fields to the south of our lovely city.

Longford Estates are pitching in there, too.

So the following explanation is dull but necessary. The inspector’s job is not to say whether he finds these development sites desirable but whether the way they’ve been chosen is ‘sound’ – a technical term meaning it’s got nothing to do with whether you or I want them.

Ah, the joys of British democracy!

Among the ‘Written Statements’ I commend to you those by Margaret Willmot, a former city councillor who’s an absolute whizz at ploughing through these turgid ‘consultations’ and pointing out, in the officially approved manner, the bleeding obvious that the authorities might have ignored.

You’ll find these under the headings ‘Matter 2: Consistency with Core Strategy’ and under ‘Matter 3’, with a subheading for each Salisbury site. (See, I’ve done the hard work for you!)

She lays into Wiltshire Council’s failure to develop its railway Engine Sheds site, and its inability to deliver the promised redevelopment of Churchfields, given its alleged policies of protecting agricultural land and prioritising brownfield sites.

She also highlights Wiltshire’s absolute failure to devise a convincing transport strategy for our city to accommodate all this growth. A topic I’m sure you’re sick of hearing me banging on about.

May I also recommend the input of Judith Howles, Bill Roper of Harnham Neighbourhood Association, Stephen Baldock, Malcolm Read and Michael Smith, Salisbury Area Greenspace Partnership and Historic England.

Taking part in these affairs is not easy, and those who do so ought to be thanked by the rest of us for caring enough to wade through the system.

Oh, and what is it that I agree with Persimmon about?

They’re miffed that their proposed building site on the north side of Downton Road isn’t one of those preferred by the council.

They reckon it’s a better option than Netherhampton Road.

They’re right.

But it’s only a matter of time before they’ll get their way, too.

anneriddle36@gmail.com