A Sustainable Neighbourhood for Hilperton
Barwood Land is proposing a new, sustainable neighbourhood of up to 300 new homes and Sustainable Natural Greenspace (SANG) on land previously allocated for housing as part of a larger site in the Draft Wiltshire Local Plan.
A key aspect of the development will be the delivery of substantial open space and landscaping, which will link into existing walking routes, providing recreational benefits and creating a well-connected, attractive and vibrant neighbourhood.
We want to know what you think! - Your feedback will be invaluable as we refine the proposals, prior to the submission of an outline planning application for the site.
Do We Need New Homes?
Much of this site formed part of the Draft Allocation known as ‘North Hilperton’ in the Wiltshire Council Local Plan Review under Policy 53. The draft allocation, which included additional land to the east, was for c. 600 dwellings.
Whilst the Council has since decided to withdraw that Plan, the overwhelming need for new homes in the County remains. Indeed, the Council’s Housing Land Supply Statement (2024), demonstrates that in the Trowbridge Community Area alone, there had been under delivery of some 2,624 dwellings in the period between 2020 and 2024.
A new Local Plan is years away from being adopted, and therefore sustainable sites are required to meet housing needs in this intervening period. Clearly, providing new homes on sites which have previously been identified by the Council as suitable for development, is a logical approach whilst the new Local Plan is being prepared.
The importance of providing much needed new homes cannot be dismissed. Without quality new housing, people struggle to live a fulfilling and secure life and participate positively in society.
Amongst many benefits, the link between housing and health has long been recognised. It has been estimated that it costs the NHS around £1.4 billion a year to treat people affected by poor housing. It is also estimated that the full economic cost to society of leaving people in poor quality housing is £18.5 billion a year.
This is in addition to the obvious significant social costs of poor housing and homelessness.