Residents condemn plans to convert Trowbridge shop into five flats

A Trowbridge planning agent has applied to Wiltshire Council to convert 14 Newtown into a house of multiple occupation comprising five one-bedroomed flats.

The site is currently occupied by the Household Economy Shop, a non-profit organisation supplying white goods, furniture, beds, and sofas.

Jordan Carter has submitted plans through his agent, A Harlow & Son of West Ashton, to convert the shop into a house of multiple occupation. It already has residential accommodation above.

The former Household Economy shop in Newtown where the owner plans to turn it into five one-bedroomed flats. Image: Trevor Porter 76873-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

But residents have strongly criticised the scheme, saying the site is too cramped for five flats, has poor access, and no dedicated parking spaces.

Mr Carter plans to remove an internal wall at the property to provide storage for up to eight bicycles.

Emily Pomroy-Smith, who stood as a Labour Party candidate in the 2019 General Election for the South West Wiltshire constituency, said: “I’m all for more affordable housing but this is incredibly cramped. I would worry re fire safety, parking and access.”

Another resident, Mark Hughes, said: “Terrible idea. The street is already full of HMO properties containing people that do not give too hoots about the street and surrounding area.

“Parking is already a disaster. If both Wiltshire and the town council are serious about revitalising Central Ward then this cannot be allowed to continue.”

Others also voiced concerns about more waste bins being left outside on the pavement.

But one woman said: “These homes are desperately needed in this housing crisis. Lots of people cannot afford to pay the rent on the rental flats on the open market and these will be a more affordable alternative.”

Cllr Stewart Palmen, the leader of Trowbridge Town Council and the Wiltshire and town councillor for Central Ward, said the plans were discussed by the council’s town development committee on Tuesday.

He said: “We gave it our endorsement as we could not see a planning reason to reject it.

“The town council is only a consultee and does not have the right to refuse planning applications but can state its opinion about planning applications.

“I will also talk to the planning officer allocated to this application at Wiltshire Council.”

Builder Michael Thomas is facing two charges after defying an enforcement notice at 12 Newtown in Trowbridge. Photo: Trevor Porter 69940-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The Household Economy Shop is located just a door away from 12 Newtown, where local builder Michael Thomas faces two charges relating to his work at the property.

Mr Thomas, 71, from Staverton, has continually defied a Wiltshire Council enforcement notice to stop work on his conversion of the former pizza takeaway into flats.

He is charged with allegedly breaching an enforcement notice issued by Wiltshire Council in September 2020 ordering him to stop work on his conversion of a former pizza takeaway shop into a HMO with up to seven flats.

He is also charged with allegedly failing to comply with a Wiltshire Council notice concerning an interest in land under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990.

The grotesque likeness of Cllr Stewart Palmen carved in stone at 12 Newtown in Trowbridge. Photo: Trevor Porter 70169-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Thomas commissioned an artist to produce a grotesque likeness of Cllr Palmen carved in stone, which he attached to the eaves of 12 Newtown.

He first appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court last October. He has since pleaded not guilty and his case has now been scheduled for a three-day trial from November 24-26.

Cllr Palmen said he was “totally bemused” as to how long it is taking Wiltshire Council to bring Mr Thomas to trial.

He added: “It seems to me that he is running rings around our legal team and I shall be asking them why it is taking so long.”