Devizes Wadworth brewery construction work delayed

Backhouse, who was selected to redevelop the old brewery in Devizes, has said around 90 per cent of demolition has been carried out and that construction is 'hopefully' set to begin at the end of the year.

The removal of old industrial buildings at the former Wadworth brewery in Devizes was completed by developer earlier this year, making way for the construction of 102 homes on the land.

The project moved quickly following the beginning of demolition last year, and site investigations were reported to be close to finishing in February, with the developers planning to begin construction work by late-spring of this year.

However, demolition remains unfinished, and construction has been delayed while the developer’s conversations with neighbours and Wiltshire Council continue.

Stuart Walter, head of Land at Backhouse, told this paper that the delay had been “disappointing” and that the developer was keen to “keep the momentum” in the project.

Mr Walter continued: “90 per cent of the demolition has been completed now. We were on hold whilst we finalised some agreements with some of our neighbours. We hope to start demolition again at the end of August.

Plans for the Wadworth brewery (Image: Backhouse)

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“We have a remediation condition with the council. Ultimately that needs to be approved before we can commence.

“That’s still back and forth to try and get that agreed. Hopefully that’ll be agreed over the next few months with commencement of construction at the end of the year.”

Mr Walter went on to say that part of the difficulty in getting started on the development was in the nature of brownfield sites, which “come with a lot of unknowns”.

He continued: “It’s disappointing because it’s very expensive to not be building it. We’re very keen to get to that point where we can begin construction. It’s good to sort of try and keep the momentum there.”

Mr Walter added that the company is still very positive about the project, and its fit into Devizes.

He said: “It’s taking a derelict brownfield site back into use, I think that’s a positive.”

The Backhouse boss also emphasised that his company was selected to redevelop the site due to its values bring “aligned” with Wadworth, who he said considered it important the right firm was chosen to deliver the project.