THE controversial 180 home development at Filands in Malmesbury has finally been approved.

The original plans for the Bloor Homes site were passed on appeal at the High Court last year after being repeatedly refused by Wiltshire Council.

The decision to submit plans earlier this year was criticised by the town council and residents as they didn’t believe they had been properly consulted over flooding and traffic issues concerning the site.

Andrew Driscoll, Senior Land Director for Bloor Homes South West, said: “We are pleased to have received full planning permission for our Filands View development in Malmesbury, which will provide much-needed housing for local people.

“We have worked closely with planning officers and local politicians to address concerns raised by members of the public and as a result of these discussions a number of changes were made to the plans. These changes have been welcomed by councillors and residents and we are therefore confident of delivering a scheme that will be of great benefit to the local community.

“We are also pleased to be investing more than £2 million in local services and infrastructure improvements through a Section 106 agreement with Wiltshire Council.

“We look forward to beginning work on site in the near future and to releasing the first homes for sale in spring next year.”

Cllr Simon Killane has been working with Bloor Homes and liaising with local residents to help shape the plans once planning permission was granted.

“I am now satisfied that residents have had full consideration given to their concerns by Wiltshire Council officers and the developer of the site,” he said.

“We haven't got everything that we wanted but have secured many important changes that go some way to addressing the concerns that have been raised.

“Drainage was a huge issue as people were concerned about flooding in extreme weather.

“We went through a long process with Bloor who have changed the design of the pipe at the top of the site to enhance the capacity of it.

“People were also very concerned about access and felt the estate would be accessed through Reeds Farm which would result in traffic congestion. The site will now only have emergency access only through Reeds farm.

“I never agreed with the site, but at the end of the day they won the appeal and that sight was deemed suitable for development.

“Once we lost that battle, the important thing was residents had as strong a voice as possible.”

Not all residents are pleased with the outcome however, including Wayne Bull, whose home on Avenue De Gien will soon be overlooking the future sight.

He said: “The final plans weren't much different to the initial plans, but that's no great surprise.
“I think it's a shame local residents don't have a greater say on how developments like this will affect them.

“I will lose my lovely view, but to be fair I guessed they would build on those fields when I bought the house, so I'm quite pragmatic about it all.

“I did follow the comments by residents on the planning application, and feel sorry for those in Reeds Farm which will be overlooked and have a substation built in their gardens.

“Even with the numerous comments regarding these issues, little has been done address them.”

Deborah Dawson lives in Malmesbury and is another resident concerned about how the site will look.

She said: “I am not against building houses as I realise it is inevitable however I believe much more consideration should be given to the aesthetics of any new development.

“Outdoor green space, however small, aids community cohesion and feelings of well being.

“Neighbours meet while cutting the grass tending the garden and homes develop personality.

“The existing Filands development resembles a concrete jungle for the storage of cars and wheely bins and I fear the new development will be the same. This will definitely not be good for Malmesbury.”