25 October 2012
A pioneering self build project in Wiltshire that could provide up to 20 homes has taken a leap forward with the news that the local council is to trial an innovative planning approach to progress the development.
Warminster Town Council has agreed to set up a Neighbourhood Development Order to deal with the 3 acre riverside site in Boreham Road, Warminster. NDO’s give local communities an opportunity to decide what they want to see on the land. They also give communities the chance to approve proposals – in full or in outline – without the need for a formal planning application.
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NDO’s represent a new way of dealing with planning issues and they still allow the council to impose some controls on the site such as the scale and form of the new homes, and a palette of materials that would be appropriate.
The site, near the Bishopstrow roundabout, is owned by developer HPH Commercial Property. The land was formerly a meadow that was prone to flooding, but in the 1960’s its level was raised so that it is now safe to build on.
As part of the deal, the developer will contribute in the region of £350,000 “community payment” that the council can use towards affordable housing or allocate for community projects. This will be raised via a levy on the sale of each of the plots.
Councillor Tony Nicklin said: “This is an exciting project and I believe we are one of the first towns in the country to take up a project of this type”.
Exact details of how the site will be split up are still to be resolved but there are likely to be a mix of self build homes – from more expensive plots overlooking the river, to some modestly priced ones nearer the road frontage.
The developer plans to put in the roads and services, and then sell off the plots to the self builders. There is also potential for part of the site to be delivered via a group self build scheme.
Chris Wordsworth, from HPH, said “It’s a terrific site and we’ve had a lot of support from people who are keen to see a self build development happen on it. If we could press the ‘Go’ button today we’d hope to have the roads in and the first plots available about a year later.”
At this stage it is envisaged that the plots will cost between £120,000 and £220,00 each.
