Controversial plan for 187 homes moves step closer

The homes are proposed for land between Trowbridge and Hilperton

Plans for a 187 home estate between a Wiltshire town and village have moved a step closer.

Developer Barratt Homes received permission for the construction of the homes in Elizabeth Way, near Trowbridge and Hilperton, in 2022.

Wiltshire Council has now discharged 10 conditions in relation to the application and has asked the developer for more information on details such as footways and estate roads prior to development starting on the site.

The bid received numerous objections, and residents said they were “devastated” the number of homes had risen by 82 since the original plan.

The development is part of a wider scheme to build thousands of homes in Trowbridge

In a significant milestone for Barratt Homes, some of the conditions for the scheme have now been discharged, concerning details such as the surface water scheme and external lighting.

Some councillors previously raised concerns about the density of the development suggested for the area in the local plan.

The plan proposes 4,420 homes and 27.4 hectares of employment land should be provided in Trowbridge by 2038, including the development near Elizabeth Way and north-east of Hilperton.

The chair of the Hilperton Area Action Group recently claimed this would be “the end of the community”.