Old scrapyard to become site for 100 houses and new public open space?

UP to 100 houses, a new ‘specialist’ nursing home and a new ‘large area’ of public open space, have been proposed for land east of Melksham train station. 

The proposals, which are still in their early stages, is located on land between Dunch Lane and Bath Road, neighbouring both the railway line and South Brook. 

News of the plans has sparked concern that the developers, Stantonbury Building and Development Company, will be building on a flood plain, and that methods to alleviate flooding in the area could cause flooding upstream in Shurnhold Fields and Shaw. 

However, at a Melksham Town Council meeting last week, representatives for the developers offered reassurance that they will not be building on the flood plain. They explained that surveys have shown that land currently home to a former scrapyard and sidings, known as Station Yard, is the only area suitable for development. 

“We will not build on the flood plain,” said the representatives before explaining that the area earmarked for housing could still be reduced if necessary. There was also reassurance that the plans would have no impact on the nearby allotments on Southbrook Road. 

Alongside the housing plans, the developers are considering a ‘small area’ of flexible office space, and are working with a ‘very specialist’ nursing home operator, who will provide ‘specialist special needs nursing’ accommodation, which according to the developer is in short supply in Melksham and in Wiltshire. 

The remainder of the land, which is currently green space and part of a flood plain, is proposed to be a ‘large area’ of public open space, with a foot and cycle link connecting Bath Road and Dunch Lane. 

At last week’s meeting, it was also highlighted by councillors that the area in question has been identified as employment land in the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan. But according to the developer’s, the area is not viable as employment land due to the cost of removing ‘significant contamination’ on the site. 

However, they did warn that whilst a commercial development of the land is not viable, the site of the former scrapyard is still viable, which still has a waste transfer licence – something that would be surrendered by the developers if planning permission was granted. 

“If we fail in what we are looking to do,” said one of the developer’s representatives at the meeting, “it will be re-let as a scrapyard, and for the foreseeable future it will continue like that.” 

It was also said that Stantonbury Building and Development Company has been ‘inundated’ by waste companies looking to take over the site of the scrapyard. 

“We are resisting that at the moment and looking to take the opportunity to redevelop the site,” said the developer’s representative. 

After the meeting, a spokesperson for Stantonbury Building and Development Company told Melksham News, “With Wiltshire Council struggling to demonstrate a five year housing land supply and with green space increasingly under threat across the county, Stantonbury are keen to progress a planning application at the previously developed and disused site on Bath Road, known as Station Yard. 

“Situated next to Melksham station, Station Yard offers great potential for people who need new, sustainable and affordable homes. 

“But this is not just an opportunity for housing – there are also a number of exciting local benefits that could be delivered as part of the proposals, such as a linear park for walkers and cyclists linking Dunch Lane and Bath Road. Commercial use on site will also be maintained and the scrap yard will be replaced by modern and flexible workspace which would result in more employment opportunities being generated than there is currently – ideal for local residents and small businesses. 

“Prior to any application being submitted to Wiltshire Council, Stantonbury are keen to engage with residents, community groups and councillors to make these proposals the best that they can possibly be. In addition to offering to meet with immediately neighbouring residents – and a number of sessions were conducted last week – we would welcome the opportunity to meet with community groups and local businesses about these exciting proposals. In the meantime, residents are very welcome to visit our website or to contact the team.”