Plans for a substantial 2,500-home development near Trowbridge, known as Ashton Park, have officially moved forward after legal approval completed the necessary agreements. Wiltshire Council’s strategic planning committee granted outline permission in July, and now both council and developer lawyers have finalized the details to ensure the project proceeds responsibly.
The Ashton Park scheme, led by developers Persimmon and Barratt Redrow, requires them to submit comprehensive detailed plans addressing building designs, layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping for council approval before construction can begin.
Work is anticipated to commence in early 2026, with the development unfolding in four phases: 350 homes in phase one (closest to Trowbridge), 375 in phase two, 725 in phase three, and 750 in the final phase.
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The project includes 600 affordable homes on-site and an additional £5.3 million contribution to affordable housing elsewhere in Wiltshire. Nearly 14 hectares of employment land will also be developed, complemented by two local centres featuring retail, community, and dining options.
Educational infrastructure will comprise two primary schools and provision for a secondary school, although the latter’s future remains uncertain due to current undersubscription at Trowbridge’s existing secondary schools, John of Gaunt and Clarendon.
Residents will benefit from extensive public amenities, including sports pitches, play areas, a country park, natural green spaces, allotments, and an ecological visitor centre.
Integral to the plan is significant road infrastructure, including the Yarnbrook and West Ashton Relief Road which will divert the A350 away from West Ashton towards the new housing development. New access junctions and pedestrian and cycle routes will also enhance connectivity.
Cllr Adrian Foster, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing, emphasized the development’s importance: “Securing planning permission for Ashton Park is a major milestone for Trowbridge and the wider Wiltshire area. The scheme will deliver essential homes, economic opportunities, community facilities, and infrastructure improvements, with strong environmental safeguards in place. We look forward to reviewing the detailed plans and seeing construction begin on site.”