Regeneration scheme granted approval in Calne

Tetlow King Planning (TKP) has secured planning permission for a major regeneration scheme in Calne. Westlea Housing Association, part of GreenSquare Group, is to demolish a group of 12 1960s flats over garages at Woodroffe Square to provide 24 new affordable homes for local Wiltshire families.

The site had long been earmarked for redevelopment following the Large Scale Voluntary Transfer of housing stock from the former North Wiltshire Council to Westlea Housing in 1995 as the building fabric was no longer economical to repair, and could not be brought up to modern standards. Discussions with residents of the flats and Calne Town Council showed clear consensus for redeveloping the site to increase the number of homes, and pre-application consultation with draft plans resulted in support for the proposals.

Principal Planner Meghan Rossiter submitted a full planning application to Wiltshire Council in September. A number of objections were raised by neighbouring home-owners, largely focused on the removal of the garages and alterations to the parking arrangements which would provide new residents with the locally required standard of two parking spaces per home, visitor spaces and additional unallocated spaces for those residents of nearby homes. TKP’s experience elsewhere on garage sites, including a recent success at appeal by Associate Director Andy Moger for another GreenSquare regeneration scheme in Calne, ensured that the planning balance focused on the delivery of housing and not the loss of small garages and informal parking provision.

Securing the uplift in the number of homes through a Unilateral Undertaking will allow GreenSquare to draw on external funding and to flexibly manage the type of affordable homes to be delivered at the site, delivering a mix of affordable tenures with support from the Council’s housing enabling team.

Active engagement with the Council’s planning and highways officers drew support for the proposals, recognising the significant benefits of redeveloping these flats to increase the number of affordable homes at the site and improve the appearance of the area. This ensured a recommendation for approval to the planning committee at which local councillors recognised the benefits of a local housing provider delivering affordable housing for Calne, approving the scheme. Negotiation with the planning officer resulted in the drafting of flexible conditions, enabling the demolition of the site to take place prior to commencement of development.

TKP is delighted to have contributed to securing the delivery of this important scheme that will contribute to the ongoing regeneration of housing across Calne and delivery of high quality new affordable homes for local people.

For any further information regarding the above, or any other affordable housing developments please contact  Meghan Rossiter or Jonathan Adams on 0117 9561916.