A SELF-BUILD housing development near Waitrose in Malmesbury has been given the green light after a long planning battle.
 
Plans for more than 20 serviced self-build plots, ready for families to design their ideal homes onto, were approved on appeal by a planning inspector on Tuesday, March 5. 

The application was initially refused by Wiltshire Council in August 2022 on the grounds that it would cause noise pollution, be harmful to the landscape and did not align with the Wiltshire Local Plan.

Husband and wife developer duo Robert and Rebecca Stewart of Malmesbury Self Build first submitted the application for a new housing estate on land east of Waitrose, just off the A429, in Malmesbury more than two years ago.
 
Proposals included plans for 26 serviced self-build plots which would be suitable for a mixture of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes.
 
Each plot outlined in the design would have access to electricity, water and sewerage.
 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Illustrative masterplan for the Malmesbury Self Build development Illustrative masterplan for the Malmesbury Self Build development (Image: Malmesbury Self Build / ACLA ltd Landscape Architects)

The design statement on the application states: "The main objective of this proposal is to create a distinctive, high quality and landscape-led development - providing up to 26 exciting self-build plots.
 
"The proposals will demonstrate strong urban design and placemaking principles, delivering unique homes that people will want to live in with safe and liveable streets.
 
"The neighbourhood will be well connected to encourage walking and cycling and promote a healthy way of life, and will be well-landscaped incorporating new native vegetation and wildflower lawns.
 
"As a self-build proposal, it is important to establish a legacy which sensitively respects the context of the site and celebrates the vernacular, whilst offering future residents with the opportunity and flexibility to design their own home.
 
"Integrating and enhancing local characteristics will ensure that this landscape-led neighbourhood will naturally and seamless blend into the town when viewed from the open countryside."
 
Despite initial concerns, this new development has now been given the go ahead.

In the appeal decision notice, the planning inspector states: "Its self-build characteristics weigh heavily in favour of the proposal.
 
"Additionally, the proposed dwellings would be well located, with good access to the town and its wide range of services and facilities.
 
"Furthermore, the proposal would help to address the identified matter of in-commuting to Malmesbury, where the growth in jobs has not been matched by a growth in housing provision.
 
"I find that the failure of the proposal to accord with the development plan in respect of the location of new development is outweighed by these material considerations."
 
An array of important details such as the number of plots and the design of each dwelling still need to be approved by Wiltshire Council.
 
Plans for adequate drainage and environmental protection during the construction process will also need to be reviewed.
 
The Stewarts said: "We are very pleased to announce that, after a long planning battle, the planning inspector has granted us permission for the self-build site at Malmesbury.
 
"There is still a way to go before we have sites available for sale, including another round of planning to agree the detailed plans, but we are excited to bring this opportunity to Malmesbury."

To view the full appeal decision note visit tinyurl.com/kve985y7