Demolition set to start on old brewery site

Developers say the project will include eight affordable homes

The partial demolition of an old brewery site to make way for 102 homes is set to begin in weeks.

Under the plans, 64 flats and 38 houses will be built at the former Wadworth site in Wiltshire.

The family-run brewery left Northgate Street in Devizes in 2023 after 140 years to move to Folly Road. Wadworth boss Toby Bartholomew dubbed the old site the "heartbeat" of the town.

The homes are set to be built around and behind the Grade II-listed old brewery building, with developer Backhouse saying the project would include eight affordable homes.

Devizes councillor Iain Wallis said he had hoped there would be more affordable housing built as part of the project but "we cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good".

He said the plans initially did not have any provision for affordable housing, but the council had worked with the developer to increase this to eight.

Head of land at Backhouse, Stuart Walter, said housing schemes were under "extreme" financial pressure.

"That is the reason why the affordable homes on this scheme have been reduced.

"It does not mean we won't be delivering more, and we'll be looking to go to registered providers who'll take on further homes on the scheme," he said.

The project includes plans for 64 flats and 38 houses

Wadworth boss Mr Bartholomew said investment in the site was needed.

"It is a very sad moment but also a great moment for the future, that something is going to be done with the site

"There is a financial reason for this. It did not make financial sense for us to carry on the way we were carrying on - the investment that would be needed in this site," he said.