Wiltshire's biggest housing development approved

The development will be built in phases in the Ashton Park area

A neighbourhood of 2,500 homes that will be the biggest new development in Wiltshire was approved by councillors earlier.

Ashton Park, on the outskirts of Trowbridge, will include two primary schools, country park, relief road and around a quarter of the homes (650) will be affordable, according to the plans.

It will be constructed in four phases - the first closest to Trowbridge consisting of 350 homes followed by 375 in phase two, 725 in phase three, and 750 in phase four.

First debated by Wiltshire Council in 2018 but held up due to legal issues, the development was described by councillor Adrian Foster, cabinet member for housing as a "significant step forward" for Trowbridge and Wiltshire.

The development will stretch over the Ashton Park area

The developer – Ashton Park Trowbridge Ltd & Persimmon Homes Ltd – is paying more than £25m to provide services including schools (£14m), bus routes, health care and NHS dental provision and employment land.

Councillors were told the developer will also foot the bill for the new £35.5 million road, which will see the A350 diverted away from the village of West Ashton and closer to the new houses.

The applicant will pay an extra £5.4 million towards 'offsite' provision – meaning affordable or social housing can be built in other parts of the Trowbridge area.

Councillors were told that although the builders want to start work as soon as possible, it could be 10 or even 15 years before the new neighbourhood is completely finished.

Many of the infrastructure projects – including the new relief road – will only be started once a certain number of houses are occupied.

John Gantlett, land and planning director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: "This planning application brings enormous benefits to Trowbridge."

Mr Foster added: "This is one of the most complicated applications we've had to consider, but is strategically important to this council."

The council explained there have been moves to help the natural environment too, including a new ecological visitor facility and a partnership with Natural England and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Outline planning permission was granted, but the developer will now need to submit more specific plans.