Residents oppose plan for 80 houses to be built on edge of Trowbridge

As previously reported, Redcliffe Homes is seeking permission to build the homes on land north of Devizes Road, in Hilperton, not far from Trowbridge Rugby Club, having filed plans for the project on February 16.

The proposals would see two plots of land, last used as horse paddocks turned into the new development, with a mix of one, two, three, and four-bed properties, 30 per cent of which will be affordable.

If approved, the development would add a significant block of homes to a growing number in the Hilperton area, with three developments well underway along Elizabeth Way, and another under at the northern side of Hilperton recently given the green light.

The revelation of plans for 80 homes north of Devizes Road has sparked debate among residents, with many expressing objections to the plans.

Matthew Stanton responded directly to the planning application with an objection on several grounds, writing: “The proposed access onto Devizes Road will significantly increase traffic on an already busy route.

"This raises safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, and existing residents.

He also took issue with the possible impact on local services, commenting: “GP practices, schools, and parking provision are already under strain.

"The application does not demonstrate that adequate capacity exists to support up to 80 additional dwellings.”

He added that the scale of the development “would erode the semi‑rural character of Hilperton’s northern edge.

Mr Stanton highlighted that the proposals were a larger version of an application made to build on the land in 2022, which was turned down.

He wrote: “These issues appear unresolved in the current proposal and, given the increased scale (up to 80 dwellings), are likely to be exacerbated.

"Wiltshire Council’s previous refusal demonstrates that this location is unsuitable for residential development of this nature.

News of the planning application sparked a debate online too, with many concurring with Mr Stanton’s view of the plans.

Reader Danny Burke also highlighted the impact the new homes might have on local services, writing: “And an even longer wait to see a doctor for the rest of us!”

An aerial view of the proposed development. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Anne Coates, appeared to express frustration at yet another development in the area, writing: “More houses around Trowbridge. For goodness’ sake we shall join up with Melksham soon, or maybe even Westbury, Devizes or maybe Frome.”

Sarah Ladd, meanwhile, highlighted the contrast between proposals for more homes in a rural area and the lack of visible progress on a development in Trowbridge's town centre at Innox Mills. She wrote: “No new greenfield sites should be allocated until the Bowyers site is fully redeveloped!” 

Not all readers were put off by news of the development, with some agreeing that it would help the council hit its building targets. Zach Horn responded simply: “We need houses so happy days.”

Proposals for 180 homes on land at neighbouring Maxcroft Farm, near Marsh Lane, were given the green light by a Wiltshire Council planning committee in September last year.

As reported in this paper at the time, the plans were recommended for approval because the county cannot meet its current housing land target.

During the meeting, councillor Ernie Clark, who is the division councillor for the village and also chairs the committee deliberating, expressed concerns over the increased amount of traffic that 180 houses would add to an already over-capacity bridge that crosses the Kennet and Avon Canal. He had seen a video of a one-and-a-half-hour traffic jam, he said.

An officer from the council's highways department moved to assure him that 180 new homes would create around 90 new car movements at peak hours, leaving or entering the village on three different roads. "The extra traffic is not enough to justify an objection," he said.

"So you're saying traffic jams are so bad that adding another few cars won't make any difference?" asked Cllr Clark.

"Correct."

Cllr Clark made a motion to refuse permission, but that was voted down, and a subsequent vote to grant permission was successful.

Last year, developments along Elizabeth Way hit a number of milestones. In June, Barratt Homes officially launched Platinum Place, with prospective buyers invited to look around then-recently completed show homes.