Office-to-home plans approved in shadow of iconic tower

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

Plans to convert offices into flats in Melksham have been approved.

Moonraker (Melksham) Ltd has been granted planning permission to turn the upper floors of office blocks at Avonside Business Park into flats.

The enterprise park is on the site of the former Unigate dairy, with its iconic tower, which operated between 1905 and 1969.

Office blocks and light industrial units were constructed in the mid 1980s.

Moonraker started buying buildings at the enterprise park in 2019 and completed the takeover of the facility in 2022.

It said that despite “significant marketing and investment in improving the buildings,” there was no take-up for the offices.

Existing business tenants include a cybersecurity firm occupying 3,000 sq ft of office space, and a financial services firm occupying 3,000 sq ft of a neighbouring building.

The company told Wiltshire Council that “diversification in the mix of uses, particularly on upper floors,” would be desirable at the business park.

It said that during meetings with Melksham Town Council, “residential uses that introduce greater activity at the site and improved footfall throughout the day in this edge-of-centre location between the town centre and railway station were actively supported.”

Moonraker submitted four planning applications as a package, seeking permission to change the use of parts of buildings from business use to residential, carry out external alterations to the buildings and the demolition of some buildings, including a former scout hut and a car wash.

Wiltshire Council said the Avonside Chimney and distinctive roof-line were, “Locally Valued Non-designated Heritage Assets,” adding, “The site has a historic utilitarian character provided by the industrial buildings.”

As part of the scheme 17 one- and two-bedroom apartments will be created, the smallest of which will be 50 sq m and the largest 78 sq m.