Developer submits new homes designs after last attempt branded ‘ugly’

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison with further reporting by Melksham News

Property developer Bewley Homes has submitted updated designs for an 88-house development at Holt, after a previous attempt was branded ‘ugly’ by planners.

In February, Wiltshire Council’s western area planning committee rejected the reserved matters application for the land off Melksham Road, with local member Cllr Trevor Carbin branding the design as “basically ugly.”

Residents, joined by MP Brian Mathew and members of Holt Parish Council, also gathered at the site to voice their concerns over the designs.

New plans were submitted this week for the development on the eastern edge of the village, which will be known as Elmridge Meadows.

The development will consist of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes as well as public open spaces and a play area for younger children.

Forty per cent of the homes will be designated ‘affordable’. These include houses for affordable rent, shared ownership, and first-time buyers.

All of the proposed houses are two storeys with the exception of five, which are two-and-a-half storeys to “create variety in the roof scape.”

The developer says the revised designs have taken inspiration from houses within the village after the previous designs plans, which were originally for 90 houses were refused by the Western Area Planning Committee in February citing Bewley Homes’ failure to meet high-quality design standards and non-compliance with local planning policies.

A decision is expected by 15th August.

Pictured: Residents and Holt parish councillors with Brian Mathew MP at the proposed development