Decision on Malmesbury development in 'bonkers' location deferred

The development would see 23 new homes built on a field south west of Park Road, after outline permission was approved at appeal back in 2022.

However, the decision for the design and layout was called into the committee after a “high level of public opposition”.

Malmesbury Town Council also objected to the application, noting: “We continue to have concerns over drainage and flood provision on this site.”

The site where outline planning permission has been granted. (Image: Google)

A representative of the developer, Cotswold Homes, attended the meeting to speak in support of the plans.

Strategic planning manager, James Durant said: “The designs before you are the result of extensive discussions and collaboration with statutory consultees and officers at the council.

“I have personally held a number of meetings with Malmesbury Town Council, both prior to the submission of the application and through the application’s consideration.”

He explained that the homes would be built out of “high quality natural stone” and that they were designed with sustainable features such as air source heat pumps and solar panels.

Mr Durant added: “As a local house builder with a focus on high-quality design and employing local trades, I do hope that you are able to support us by agreeing with your officer’s recommendation of approval of this application.”

However, Cllr Gavin Grant was among those speaking in objection to the application.

He described Cotswold Homes as “exemplary” in their communication but claimed that the development was an “absolutely poisoned chalice” which “should never have been granted”.

Referring to the flooding concerns, Cllr Grant said: “In the last 12 months, the location where these houses are to be built has been inaccessible three times on Park Road.”

He concluded: “Flooding here is not a notional issue, it is a genuine real issue.”

Cllr Ashley O’Neill agreed: “It’s bonkers, in 2024, look how close this is to the River Avon.

“We have the evidence that it floods, it is only going to become more and more of a problem as time goes on.”

Councillors were reminded that Wiltshire Council’s experts were satisfied with the mitigations that had already been submitted to them and that they did not form part of the reserved matters application before them.

The committee requested that the details of this be made available to them, and in the meantime, agreed to defer the decision based on the lack of sustainable energy strategy from the developer.