Land purchase on Wiltshire brownfield site complete

Wessex region have completed a deal to purchase brownfield land that will deliver 95 high-quality, new homes to Chippenham.

Persimmon Homes Wessex has bought the disused Wiltshire Ambulance Service station to make way for its Oak Hill Rise development, for which it secured planning permission in February.

The zero-carbon ready scheme was supported by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust who decommissioned and mothballed the site after a relocation of staff to a newer building they have built on the Bath Road industrial estate.

Enabling works have already commenced on-site and demolition action will take place in July, with a view to beginning construction in the autumn. First occupations are expected next year.

The development will be replacing vacant and underutilised buildings 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 with all homes powered by air source heat pumps 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 £1 million towards upgrading local services and facilities including schools, sports pitches and children’s play areas.

All 95 homes will be energy efficient and supported with solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, while 26 of the properties will be transferred to a local housing association for the purposes of shared ownership and affordable housing provision.

Commenting on the plan’s approval, Persimmon Homes Wessex Deputy Managing Director, Seb Spiller said:

“We were delighted that Wiltshire Council gave us permission to bring 95 new homes to Chippenham earlier this year and are very pleased to have completed the land deal that will enable us to regenerate this brownfield site.

“As part of our mission to leave a positive and lasting legacy, we will be delivering properties for a local housing association, active travel links, biodiversity enhancements, and contribute over £1m towards infrastructure improvements in the town, all to the benefit of local people.

“I commend the project team at Persimmon who have worked hard to ensure we can now deliver on a vision of a high-quality scheme which works for the site's unique potential.”