Confusion at lack of progress on major Wiltshire housing development

Innox Mills was granted official permission to build 243 dwellings on the site of the old Bowyer’s Factory in Trowbridge on February 5, 2025, although legal agreements had been signed prior to that date.

In June 2025, the council said “positive discussions” had been ongoing, but while there has been activity in the area, development on the main site has not significantly progressed.

This week, Wiltshire Council told this paper it was monitoring the situation, having previously said "positive discussions" were ongoing on the site.

Cllr Ian Thorn, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We are aware that progress on the site has been limited to date.

“We continue to monitor the situation and await any further updates from the landowner as and when they are available.”

The site is currently still listed on Rightmove, with the price available on application, although the listing states that offers are needed by midday Thursday, April 4, 2024

After contacting Innox Mills, this paper understands that Innox Mills Ltd was not yet in a position to share an update on the site

Despite “limited progress” on the larger site, there has been progress on a site adjacent to the Innox Mills site, with several surrounding buildings having undergone transformative refurbishments as a number of residential and commercial properties.

Posts on the Innox Mills Facebook page show images of a major renovation, with Bowyer's Studios becoming a commercial hub, and Innox Place, and 7-9 Stallard Street becoming upmarket flats.

Stewart Palmen, who is Wiltshire Councillor for Trowbridge Central, said he was expecting further updates on progress, but that the context of the former industrial site came with its own challenges.

He said: “The key thing they struggle with is that it’s a brownfield site, and they are more expensive to develop than greenfield sites.

“The main blocking point to big progress in on the site is the lack of a housing developer coming on board.”

Cllr Palmen drew a parallel with the axed proposals to gift St Stephen’s Multi-Storey car park to the owner of Castle Place along with £2.5m in incentives.

He said that a financial incentive would make the scheme more attractive for a developer, and he said that central government funding would provide a boost for development prospects.

A site plan for the development. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

He continued: “I really do feel that if there was an ability to get public funding in the development, it would get those houses built, but at the moment there is no route to getting that."

The details of the development are as follows: “the erection of up to 243 dwellings, erection of a convenience store (Class E), erection of up to 872 sqm of new commercial floor space (Class E); and associated access, public realm; and landscaping works.”

Commenting on the Innox Mills development in June 2025, Wiltshire Council highlighted the strategic importance of the development for the town and county more widely, adding that they expected additional applications in the near future.

Cllr Helen Belcher, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for Regeneration, said: “Planning permission for the redevelopment of the Innox Mills site (ref: PL/2021/08064/FUL) was granted on 5 February 2025, and represents a significant milestone in bringing forward the regeneration of one of Trowbridge’s most complex and important brownfield sites.

The former personnel office of Bowyer now full restored and part of the restoration of the site off Stallard Street Trowbridge. (Image: Trevor Porter)

“The scheme will deliver a wide range of benefits to the town, including the refurbishment of historic buildings, the provision of much-needed new homes, commercial space, and public realm improvements.

“The development complements other major investments in the town, including the £16 million secured via the Future High Streets Fund, the development of a new leisure centre and forms part of a wider regeneration strategy for Trowbridge town centre.

“Once planning permission has been granted, the developer has three years in which to commence development.

“We understand that positive discussions are ongoing between the site owners and other parties, particularly around delivering the outline element of the proposal.

“Preliminary works have commenced on a section of the site known as ‘Innox Quarter’, which has full planning permission.

“Renovation and refurbishment of Innox Place (planning reference: PL/2023/06037) are currently underway, and we expect additional detailed planning applications for this area to be submitted in the near future.

“Given the strategic importance of this development for Trowbridge and Wiltshire more widely, we hope to see work commence on the wider site as soon as possible.”