Council looking to build affordable homes
Wiltshire Council has submitted a planning application for 33 affordable houses in Devizes.
The application is part of the council’s ambitious plans to deliver 1,000 affordable homes over a decade for people on the housing register and unable to afford a home on the open market.
The proposed houses would be built using the modern methods of construction process, involving off site factory construction, which would avoid wasting building materials on site and speeding up the onsite construction process, and would allow the final product to have the highest quality of construction finishes and be energy efficient.
To further support the council’s commitment to tackling climate change, the houses would be highly insulated and fitted with heat pumps. Houses with a south-facing aspect would also have solar panels.
The proposed site, located at the western end of Devizes, is close to bus stops and new walking and cycling connections. Should planning permission be granted, additional cycling connections would also be built to provide access to the surrounding neighbourhood and on to Devizes town centre.
All proposed houses would have dedicated parking and there will be visitor spaces too. A new access would be formed on to Caen Hill, which would serve the site and there would be improvements to the informal crossing on the main road, as well as an extension of the 30mph speed limit to beyond the site entrance.
The design of the proposed housing reflects the character of the surrounding area and of buildings found on the edge of towns and villages. This gives an open aspect when viewed from the wider countryside providing a transition from town to country.
A mix of housing, from one bedroom flats to four bedroom houses, are proposed and these would be a mix for rent and shared ownership. Should planning permission be granted, the site would be managed and maintained by Wiltshire Council.
Considerable public open space would be provided. It includes informal areas to walk and picnic in, as well as formal play space. Planting of the open space would include native species to encourage enhanced biodiversity and the safe drainage ponds that are part of the drainage solution would further help improve habitat for birds, and insects.
Phil Alford, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re pleased to have submitted this planning application as we believe, should planning permission be granted, these houses would provide lovely homes to residents who really need them. Our commitment to delivering 1,000 houses over a decade will ensue there are a variety of affordable homes throughout the county, meeting a key commitment of our Business Plan.
I encourage people to look at all the details of the planning application online as all representations received will be considered as part of Wiltshire Council’s usual planning application process.
