A major development plan has been submitted to Wiltshire Council for the construction of 205 new homes on a greenfield site adjacent to Oak Community School on the eastern edge of Melksham. Swindon-based developer Hannick Homes is seeking outline planning permission, which would grant initial approval for the housing estate, with detailed design and estate layout to be decided at a later stage.
The proposed development would be accessed from Bath Road and includes provision for extending Oak Community School, which currently has around 1,200 of its 1,400 student places filled. Importantly, thirty percent of the homes are planned to be affordable, addressing the community’s need for accessible housing.
Currently comprised of four agricultural fields north of Bowerhill, the site is listed as a draft allocation in the emerging Wiltshire Local Plan Review. Hannick Homes has engaged with the community since 2021, including Melksham Without Parish Council, and began consultations with Wiltshire Council and the White Horse Federation regarding school expansion in 2022.
READ MORE: Controversial Supported Housing Development on Bath’s Rare Tufa Field to Cost Council £10 Million
READ MORE: Bath City Farm Celebrates Autumn with Music, Food, and Festive Bonfires
A public consultation took place in June at Melksham Town Football Club, attended by 15 local residents. The developer has worked to address the concerns raised at this event. A decision on the planning application is expected by November 28.