The appearance and layout of 200 new homes, along with a nursery and additional space for community and commercial areas, have been approved on land at Chippenham Road in Lyneham.
The plans will see the pre-existing agricultural buildings demolished to make way for the new housing development.
The outline application was first submitted in 2019 and stated: “The proposals for the site comprise a considered and sensitively designed mix of new homes and supporting uses and green infrastructure to create a sustainable and vibrant new neighbourhood for Lyneham.”
Following some criticism of the original design, the amended layout has been adjusted, resulting in a “coherent identity and a public realm that will provide a pleasant and comfortable environment.”
During the consultation period, concerns were raised with regards to the biodiversity of the site and the affordability of the homes.
The application indicates that new hedgerow, woodland and trees will be planted and says this will result in an “increased amount of potential nesting and foraging habitat.”
Among other issues, Lyneham and Bradenstoke Parish Council questioned why the developer, Bellway Homes, was “aiming” to achieve EPC ratings of B in the current climate, rather than guaranteeing them, or aiming for EPC ratings of A.
Initially, the proposal was heavily weighted towards larger homes, but this has since been amended so that four and three-bedroom properties take a majority share of the overall market housing mix.
The application states: “Ultimately, the revised plans are considered to represent an appropriate housing mix that adequately resembles general housing need for the Wiltshire area and Lyneham and the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Community Area in particular.
“The 40 per cent affordable provision meets the council’s affordable housing requirements and the Council’s Housing Enabling Officer has confirmed that the mix of affordable rented and affordable shared ownership is suitable for the location.”
The development will have a range of house types that incorporate stone, render and facing brick walls, with some slate and some tiled roofs across the site.
The case officer report concluded: “The development is considered to adequately provide reasonable living conditions for its future occupiers following adoption of noise mitigation as proposed.”
It added: “In terms of appearance and scale taken with the landscaping the design is considered to result in an acceptable experience for the site’s future occupants and visitors.”
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