Planning committee to decide on 135 homes near M4

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:16 · Archive

Wiltshire Council's planning committee will decide on Wednesday whether to approve 135 homes on farmland north of Royal Wootton Bassett.

Wiltshire Council's Northern Area Planning Committee will be asked on Wednesday, 14 October to grant outline permission for a Gleeson Land scheme to build 135 homes on farmland north of Royal Wootton Bassett, on land north of Swindon Road between the A3102 and the M4. The proposal includes public open space, play areas, drainage infrastructure and a new access road.

The application is a departure from Wiltshire's development plan because the site lies outside the town's settlement boundary on unallocated agricultural land. Some objections have been raised that the development would extend the town into open countryside. Nevertheless, planning officers argue that national planning policy and the county's housing shortage weigh heavily in favour of approval, saying the scheme would make a significant contribution to meeting housing demand.

The development would provide 54 affordable homes, representing 40 per cent of the scheme, alongside 81 open market properties. A major package of developer contributions has been proposed, including more than £1.57 million towards early years, primary and secondary school places, and £135,000 for bus services.

Additional contributions would fund £45,000 for improvements at M4 Junction 16, cycling infrastructure, rights of way upgrades, sports facilities and recycling services. The committee will decide on the outline permission next week.

How it is being reported

• Plans for 135 homes near M4 to be decided next weekPlans for 135 homes near the M4 look set for approval.Gazette & Herald · 10 Oct, 05:00
• Plans for 135 homes near M4 to be decided next weekPlans for 135 homes near the M4 look set for approval.Wiltshire Times · 10 Oct, 05:00
• Plans for 135 homes near M4 to be decided next weekPlans for 135 homes near the M4 look set for approval.Swindon Advertiser · 10 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Royal Wootton Bassett · Wiltshire Council · Gleeson Land · Swindon Road · M4

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