Holt housing scheme returns to planners as site changes hands

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

Plans to build 88 houses in Holt will be going back before planners, after the development site changed hands.

In July last year, Bewley Homes won planning permission to build the houses on the outskirts of Holt, between Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham, after winning councillors over with new designs for the homes.

They were forced back to the drawing board after councillors branded their original designs “ugly”.

Last summer Holt ward councillor Trevor Carbin reminded members of the Strategic Planning Committee, “In February the committee refused the application on design grounds.

“The parish council worked with the developers to get an improved scheme.

“Due to a huge amount of work from the planning officers we have managed to get a permission on the second, much better application.”

Now the designs will go back before planners after Bewley Homes sold the development site – with planning permission – to independent housebuilder Bellway.

Sam Sowden, land and operations director for Bellway South West, said, “This site is set to bring new high-quality housing to this part of Wiltshire, including 40 per cent affordable housing, meeting an identified need in the local area.

“These will be highly sustainable new homes, built to be energy efficient, with solar PV panels to generate renewable energy and electric vehicle charging points to promote greener travel for every home.

“Our plans involve substantial areas of green open space, including a central amenity area at the centre of the development, and play equipment for children to enjoy.

“We will be planting native trees and hedgerow and creating new wildlife habitats.”

He said there would be “significant financial investment” in the local area as part of the project totalling more than £1.4 million.

“This will include more than £900,000 in funding through the Community Infrastructure Levy, £355,000 for early years and secondary education, £100,000 towards an offroad cycle route between Holt, Melksham and Bradford-on-Avon, and £21,240 for local sports facilities.

“The new neighbourhood will be a positive addition to the village and we are looking forward to starting work on site subject to approval of our updated plans.”

The plans are for 53 two, three, four and five-bedroom houses for private sale, along with 35 affordable homes, including six one-bedroom apartments and a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses.

The housebuilder hopes to start construction work on site early next year, subject to planning approval from Wiltshire Council.