Derelict pork pie factory homes plan gets go ahead

The former Bowyer's factory closed in 2008

The redevelopment of a former pork pie factory has been given the go ahead despite changes to national planning policy.

A hybrid planning bid by developer Innox Mills Ltd to build up to 284 homes at the old Bowyer's factory in Trowbridge was first approved by Wiltshire Council in November, subject to a legal agreement.

But as the legal agreement was yet to be completed, planners were obliged to review the application, taking into account the revised national planning policy framework, which was adjusted in December.

The application was approved again by Wiltshire Council at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the changes meant the council had to demonstrate a minimum four-year supply for new housing, a reduction from the previous minimum five-year supply.

Given the land was already allocated in the Wiltshire Local Plan, it was recommended the committee continued to approve the development.