The developer behind the Oak Hill Rise development in Chippenham and a local housing association have marked their deal to deliver homes on the site.

Persimmon Homes Wessex and Selwood Housing have exchanged contracts on six high-quality properties that the former will hand over to the latter, once complete, to alleviate local housing pressure in Wiltshire.

26 of the 95 high-quality, zero-carbon-ready properties due to be built on the brownfield site off Malmesbury Road will be homes to Selwood Housing customers. Of these initial six, four are for affordable rent and two are for shared ownership.

The development is replacing a vacant and underutilised building to provide a range of new high-quality energy efficient homes in a suitable location for first-time buyers, growing families, and downsizers alike. The site will be no-gas, and all the homes will be equipped with air source heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging points.

Benefits of the plans include publicly accessible green space, on-site biodiversity enhancement measures such as bird and bat boxes, a new pedestrian and cycle connection, and over £1m for upgrading local services and facilities including schools, sports pitches, and play areas.

There are currently two and three-bed homes available to purchase on the open market at Oak Hill Rise from £284,500 build by Persimmon.

Persimmon donates £700,000 each year to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year as part of its Community Champions scheme. Recent local recipients include the Chippenham Teen Takeover, Doorway Wiltshire, and Julia's House Children's Hospice.

Seb Spiller, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Wessex, said:

"We are delighted to be partnered with Selwood Housing on our Oak Hill Rise site in Chippenham, which will provide much-needed housing for people from the area.

“Persimmon is committed to leaving a positive and lasting legacy on all our sites, and a key part of this is the delivery of homes for a local housing association to meet housing need in that area.

“We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Selwood Housing as we work to meet the growing demand for housing in Chippenham and the wider county of Wiltshire."

Paul Walsh, Group Development Director for Selwood Housing, added:

“Selwood Housing is always happy to work with partners like Persimmon who help to create a strong sense of place for our customers in their homes.

“This first phase of homes at Oak Hill Rise will make a real difference in helping local people find stable homes and get onto the housing ladder in a very challenging market.

“We’re proud to be offering affordable home options including shared ownership with a choice of properties available for families and individuals with diverse housing needs. Oak Hill Rise reflects Selwood Housing’s commitment to providing local affordable homes and revitalising our local communities.”