Plans for 187 much-needed new homes on the edge of Trowbridge have been approved by Wiltshire Council’s planning committee, subject to local community contributions which are now being finalised.
Local housebuilder Barratt Homes is aiming to start construction of the new community, which will include 56 affordable homes, next summer.
The development, which has received a resolution to grant planning, will be made up of a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes on the 16 acre site in the village of Hilperton, which has been set aside for housing in the Wiltshire Housing Sites Allocation Plan.
More than 500 jobs will be supported during construction and Barratt Homes will contribute over £3.5 million towards healthcare, education, highways and wider community facilities through Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments. Full details are currently being finalised prior to final planning consent.
This will include £44,000 towards the upgrade of Hilperton Village Hall and Recreation Ground, along with new public open space and a brand new, fully equipped children’s play area.
Barratt Homes has undertaken to deliver a 10% biodiversity net gain on and around the new community by protecting and increasing local wildlife. Measures will include new and enhanced animal habitats, the planting of 0.8 km of new, species-rich hedgerows and the protection of local bat habitats. Both the greater horseshoe and lesser horseshoe bat have been found to be active on the site. New bat boxes and bat tubes will be built into the development to offer additional roosting areas and landscaping will increase foraging resources for bats. All of the new homes will be provided with rainwater butts and an attenuation pond will be included in the open, green space within the development.
Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Bristol, which covers the wider South West area, says:
“We are delighted our plans to build 187 new homes here at Hilperton – a lovely village on the edge of the historic town of Trowbridge – have been given the go ahead, subject to final details on community contributions. As well as building much-needed new homes suitable for first-time buyers, growing families and people looking to downsize, we are proud to also be bringing a range of sustainability features and increasing and protecting wildlife on and around the development, including the local bat population.”