The trust trying to restore the Wilts & Berks Canal has benefited from a contribution by a regional housebuilder towards its work.

Barratt David Wilson Homes South West has made £1.1 million investment into the local community at Semington, where it is building 144 new homes - 43 of them classed as affordable.

The investment is being made through the Section 106 agreement which includes contributions towards the restoration of the Wilts and Berks Canal linking the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington near Melksham to the River Thames at Abingdon. 

Barratt David Wilson Homes also made Section 106 contributions towards the education infrastructure, highways, healthcare, public art and waste and recycling facilities.

The company’s Buckley Gardens development in Shails Lane lies between the A350 and Semington Road to the north of the Hampton Park commercial area.

It includes 144 two, three, four and five-bedroom properties which will be available to reserve this winter.

The 43 affordable homes will have a mixture of rent and shared ownership in partnership with a registered social provider.

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, said: “The site, which follows on from the success of our Hunters Wood developments, has been carefully planned to include a mix of properties to suit a range of buyers with varying budgets that will help address the ongoing need for quality new housing in Wiltshire.”

The site is close to the Kennet & Avon Canal and is surrounded by seven acres of open space. It will also include new ponds and a play area and more than 100 new trees.

Properties will include a number of sustainable features to minimise impact on the environment and help owners save money on energy bills, such as argon-filled double-glazing as standard that lets the heat in and keeps the cold out.

External cavity walls will be built using the latest insulation, which incorporates heat-reflective, low-emissive technology.

The latest water and energy saving appliances in kitchens and bathrooms could reduce consumption by up to 26 per cent per day per person..

It’s estimated home owners could save up to £3,100 each year on bills in a new build home compared to an existing property.

Show homes are due to open next spring. To register your interest in Buckley Gardens visit https://www.dwh.co.uk/new-homes/dev-002635-buckley-gardens/