Malmesbury: Homes plan rejected by planners

Plans for almost 100 homes on the edge of Malmesbury have been refused by Wiltshire Council.

The application would have seen 92 new homes constructed on land west of Milbourne Lane, on the eastern outskirts of the town.

Developers Miller Homes described it as an “efficient use of the land” and proposed additional facilities like public open space and a play area.

However, both St. Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council and Malmesbury Town Council objected to the plans.

The parish council claimed that the development would “critically undermine the existing character and distinctiveness of the village”.

Wiltshire Council also received 120 comments from members of the public, raising concerns such as the potential strain on local services and impact on nearby traffic.

Miller Homes held meetings with both the town council and parish council last year and reports reaching out the community with the plans.

The developer argued that the proposal would deliver social, environmental and economic benefits to the local and wider area.

According to them, these benefits included a generation of investment in the locality, an increase in spending in local shops, competition within the housing market, and the creation of jobs during construction.

It was also noted that the plans included design measures for sustainable construction.

Their application stated: “As a developer, Miller Homes aspires to create attractive places that will stand the test of time.

“The company’s objective is to create developments that make a positive contribution to the existing environment in which future occupants are able to support and integrate into the existing community.”

It added: “The proposed amount, layout and mix of housing will deliver both market and affordable market housing, for which there is a known demand in the village and which will make a worthwhile contribution toward the ever growing social housing requirement of this area and the district.”

Nevertheless, Wiltshire Council found that the harm arising from the development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

Due to the location of the proposal, it was considered to fall within the countryside in planning terms.

It was in conflict with multiple of the council’s core policies, and the authority raised concerns relating to the urban design and landscape impact, as well as highways safety and biodiversity.

The case officer report also noted: “The development is to be situated in an area of significant known archaeological potential.

“There is known to be a wealth of buried archaeology in the areas north and east of Malmesbury, some of which having national significance equivalent to that of a scheduled monument.”