Hilperton gap homes approved
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build nearly 200 houses in the Hilperton gap have been green lit by the council.
Councillors sitting on the strategic planning committee this week approved plans by Barratt Homes to build 187 houses on land at Elizabeth Way in the parish.
Planning officers recommended that the plans be approved.
Trowbridge Town Council lodged its objections to the plans last December due in part to the density of the development.
The case officer for the bid said that the site would go towards helping the council's lack of a demonstrable five-year housing land supply.
Elected representative for the area, Cllr Ernie Clark noted that a planning inspector said that 355 houses could be built across the site, however, council officers determined that 423 could fill the land.
This was a seriously contentious matter for residents and the councillors due to the density of the proposed development.
The committee heard that at the time when the site was allocated for development the neighbourhood plan had already been made.
This meant there was no opportunity to protect the land or restrict development planned for the site.
Mike Townley, a resident of Albert Road which backs onto the proposed development said he was not opposed to the site being built on.
However, he did say that the detail regarding carbon capture, car movements and EV chargers was light on the ground. A representative for the developer said it was contributing to improving local infrastructure as well as around £830,000 in S106 funds.
Barratt Homes plans for 187 houses in Hilperton gap approved | Wiltshire Times