Work to build 53 affordable homes in Melksham is due to begin after approval was granted for the second phase of a development on land off Semington Road.
The Planning Inspector ruled last year that the development could go ahead on the 5.8-acre site, which will see 53 affordable homes built beside the 50 homes approved in 2023 during phase one.
Developer Living Space submitted a reserved matters planning application covering size, scale, appearance and landscaping, which has now been approved by Wiltshire Council.
Construction will deliver 32 homes for affordable rent and 21 shared ownership properties, including one-bed maisonettes, two-bed bungalows and two, three and four-bedroom family houses.
The plan to build homes on the site has been in contention and was previously refused by Wiltshire Council before being approved by a Planning Inspector on appeal.
Both Melksham Town Council and Melksham Without Parish Council previously raised concerns, including loss of rural buffer, inadequate infrastructure and pedestrian access.
Paul Breen, Managing Director of Living Space, said, “At a time when national housing shortages are at their highest, it’s encouraging to be able to deliver homes at pace and scale to help alleviate the pressure.”
Once the development is complete, Living Space said priority will be given to people with a local connection to the parish through family or work.
Pictured: the proposed site layout
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