Council issues planning permission for 2,500 homes at Ashton Park in Trowbridge

Wiltshire Council has this week formally issued planning permission to build up to 2,500 homes at Ashton Park, south-east of Trowbridge.

The Council’s Strategic Planning Committee resolved to grant outline planning permission on Tuesday 29 July, subject to the completion of the now-signed legal agreements between the parties.

Developers Persimmon Homes and Barratt Redrow will now submit further detailed plans for the development, such as the specific building designs, layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping. Once these are approved, construction of the new homes is expected to begin early next year.

The scheme will trigger capital contributions of £25.6m from the developers, with £14.1m going to education, £3.3m to healthcare, and £1.1m to bus enhancements. It will also see a Community Infrastructure Levy contribution of £7.5m for local projects, a portion of which will be passed to local parish and town councils.

The developers will also deliver a £36.5m relief road, including a new section for the A350, notably bypassing the existing West Ashton traffic-signal controlled crossroads.

The development’s long-term vision to create a thriving community is evident in the commitment to provide new schools, dedicated early years facilities, local centres, an ecology visitor centre, and 13.6ha of employment land to ensure benefits for the town and county.

£5.4m will also be ringfenced for the Council to provide off-site affordable housing, in addition to the 27% of on-site homes reserved for local housing association partners. This will help address local housing needs – including many of the 4,000 households currently on Wiltshire’s housing waiting list – and support dozens of households in accessing secure accommodation.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes Wessex’s managing director, Seb Spiller, said:

“Persimmon is delighted to have reached this latest milestone in our plan to bring thousands of much-needed homes to Trowbridge.

“We are grateful to Wiltshire Council, who have worked proactively with us to secure a scheme that supports our mission to address the housing crisis and leave a positive and lasting legacy where we build, enhancing the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of the area.

“A great deal of preparation has been put into our proposals to ensure the delivery of a high-quality development and the first detailed plans have now been submitted to Wiltshire Council.”

Rob Hart, Managing Director of Barratt Bristol, added:

“We’re proud that Barratt Homes will be part of bringing forward this important scheme and ensuring it delivers genuine community benefits, including new infrastructure, public green spaces, and homes for local families at all stages of life.

“Working alongside Persimmon Homes and in close dialogue with Wiltshire Council and local stakeholders, we look forward to creating a high-quality, sustainable new neighbourhood that supports the future of Trowbridge and the wider area. ”