Demolished Wiltshire site to see more than 50 homes built

Developer Redcliffe Homes made an application of reserved matters for 56 homes at Beaumont Business Park in Mere, south of Warminster, last year in July.

The council had already granted outline permission for a larger development of up to 70 homes – however, the developers wanted to build 56 following a lengthy consultation on the project.

As outlined in documents included in the submission, the proposed homes include a range of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom properties varying in size, designed to appeal to a range of households.

At the time of the application for outline permission, the Beaumont Business Park had been occupied by a number of factory buildings and associated offices, though these have since been demolished.

In a report on the proposals, a Wiltshire Council officer said that while pulling down the industrial buildings was considered an improvement, construction of the development on the site would “fit in equally as well” as a neighbouring new development.

There were concerns over the loss of employment, which the officer writes was a matter of “importance”.

A photo taken at the site, taken in 2025. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

However, the report continues: “but given that Mere already has a developing employment allocation on a more appropriate site, and the use on site appears to be relocating elsewhere in Wiltshire to another planned industrial site, it is considered the loss of employment on this site in this particular circumstances is of limited weight.”

Moreover, the officer reported, as Wiltshire cannot demonstrate a five year housing land supply, redevelopment of the former industrial site “is considered to be of significant weight particularly in terms of the provision of much needed housing, including affordable housing.”

The officer’s report also says that the scheme has been designed to appeal to a range of households including couples, families and older persons, including 17 affordable homes for rent and shared ownership                                                                               

The proposal has the backing of Mere's Town Council, with a spokesperson responding to the application: “The Town Council voted to support this application with the recommendation that a Routing & Traffic Management Plan for the construction is produced and that the Town Council is given the opportunity for liaison in this Routing & Traffic Management Plan. Swift Bricks should be included.”