Major Wiltshire development takes step forward

Councillors have resolved to grant consent to plans to bring 2,500 new homes to Trowbridge.

Subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement, Persimmon Homes Wessex and Barratt Redrow Bristol will be afforded outline planning permission on the Ashton Park scheme.

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

“We’re delighted that Wiltshire’s Strategic Planning Committee has resolved to grant permission for our plans and grateful for the constructive way the Council has worked with us during this process. Their support reflects the clear benefits this scheme will bring – not least the delivery of much-needed housing for local people.

“Our proposed development in Trowbridge will provide high-quality homes, helping local people stay rooted in their communities – able to live not just where they can afford, but where they truly want to be. Alongside this, the scheme will unlock millions of pounds in investment for local services and infrastructure.

“The Ashton Park scheme will deliver new roads, schools, employment land, foot and cycleways, a visitor centre, green open spaces, and ecological enhancements. It will also ease pressure on the local housing list, creating lasting, wide-reaching benefits for both new and existing residents.

“We look forward to signing the Section 106 agreement soon, so we can begin turning this vision into reality and leave a positive, lasting legacy in Trowbridge.”

Rob Hart, Managing Director of Barratt Bristol, added:

“Securing resolution to grant planning permission marks a vital step forward in delivering the new homes that local people urgently need. The South West continues to face significant housing pressures, particularly when it comes to the supply of affordable homes and this development will play a major role in helping to address that challenge.

“We’re proud that Barratt Homes will be part of bringing forward this important development 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.”

The development will have strong environmental credentials, ensuring no net loss to on-site biodiversity while delivering 68.5ha of open space, extensive hedgerow retention, ecological protection works for Biss Woods, bird and bat boxes, and new tree and hedgerow planting. Properties will also be equipped with electric vehicle charging points.

Plans also include the early delivery of a new riverside park which will provide pedestrian connections through Biss Meadow Country Park to the People’s Park and the town centre. To promote active travel, the site will feature dedicated off-street foot and cycleways, providing connectivity throughout the development. Five pairs of bus stops will also come forward to encourage the use of public transport, making services more sustainable in-turn.

Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee had previously resolved to grant permission to this application. Following an update to the evidence base and finalisation of the Section 106 and legal agreements, the application returned to Committee to renew the resolution to grant in order to comply with updated regulations and to reflect the finalised Section 106 deal.

Last November, it was announced that Barratt Redrow had acquired half of the land at Ashton Park from Persimmon. This deal has turned the project into a joint venture between the two developers. Both housebuilders will now move forward with reserved matters applications, outlining the different phases of development for the site.