Wiltshire Council has approved plans to build 180 new homes on farmland near Trowbridge, despite strong local opposition and concerns from councillors. Barratt Homes submitted the application to develop the site at Maxcroft Farm, Marsh Road, where existing farm buildings are set to be demolished to make way for the new housing—54 of which will be affordable units.
Notably, the land is not designated for housing and lies outside the current settlement boundary. However, the council’s planning department recommended approval, citing a shortfall in the county’s housing land supply.
The site is situated south of the Kennet and Avon Canal, close to several Grade II listed buildings, with residential areas to the south and west. Traffic impact was a significant concern raised during the committee meeting. Councillor Ernie Clark, the division councillor for Hilperton and committee chair, highlighted the inadequacy of the nearby canal bridge, already overwhelmed by traffic jams lasting over an hour.
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A council highways officer assured members that the development would generate approximately 90 additional peak-hour car movements across three access roads, a figure deemed insufficient to warrant rejection based on traffic grounds. This led to a pointed exchange where Councillor Clark questioned whether severe existing congestion means extra cars make no difference, to which the officer affirmed they do not.
Flooding risks also featured prominently in discussions. The B3016 road, known as Wiltshire’s most flood-prone route, often becomes impassable for about 20 days annually when the River Avon rises. Concerns were also voiced about the increasing impact of heavy goods vehicles traveling through Hilperton, Staverton, and Holt villages.
In a public session, Celia Beckett, chair of the Hilperton Area Action Group, condemned the scheme as part of “a wider plan to create an urban extension of Trowbridge.” She emphasized strong community opposition, describing the development as unsuitable for the area.
Councillor Clark proposed refusing the application, arguing that the adverse effects—especially on traffic and community character—weighed more heavily than the benefits. He reminded the committee that the site had been previously rejected during the Hilperton Area Development Plan process and criticized the timing of the application as an attempt to exploit a perceived planning loophole.
Despite his concerns, the motion to refuse was defeated by eight votes to two. Recognizing the likelihood of a successful appeal otherwise, the committee ultimately voted by the same margin to grant planning permission for the development.