Our Proposals
The proposals
The proposals would deliver a new residential neighbourhood of approximately 500 homes, offering a mix of sizes, types and tenures, including affordable housing. The development would be supported by a central community and local retail hub, designed to serve day-to-day needs and create a focal point for the neighbourhood. A mobility hub would prioritise sustainable travel, including walking, cycling, public transport and electric vehicle charging.
The proposed layout has been shaped around a series of connected green spaces, ensuring easy access to nature, recreation and active travel for residents and the wider community.
A Concept Masterplan for the site, showing one way in which the development could come forward (click to enlarge)
Benefits
Delivering much-needed homes in a sustainable location - The site is currently under-utilised, and it is well located close to Highworth town centre, employment areas and local services. Existing trees and hedgerows screen this deliverable site, making it suitable for sensitive, well-planned development.
A significant portion of the site would be green space for people and nature - Much of the site would be retained as public open space, including parkland, allotments, landscape corridors, wetland meadows and play areas, providing lasting benefits for health, wellbeing and biodiversity.
New community facilities - A local retail and community hub would provide everyday services and create a meeting place for residents, supporting a strong sense of community.
Active travel and connectivity - New walking and cycling routes, including a park run loop, would connect homes to green spaces, nearby employment, shops and public rights of way, encouraging healthy and sustainable travel choices.
Landscape-led design - Existing trees, hedgerows and landscape features would be retained and enhanced where possible, helping to integrate the development into its surroundings and create a high-quality environment.
Economic benefits - The development would support local jobs during construction and create long-term economic benefits through increased local spending and improved infrastructure.
An Outline planning application is being prepared which would agree the principle of development, access and key parameters. The detailed design of the development is therefore yet to be prepared and would be brought forward at a later stage of the planning process if Outline permission is granted.
As a result, any feedback relating to the specific design and layout of the scheme can be used to inform the detailed design of the scheme at the successive planning stage.
Outline application
Access, highways and parking
Vehicle access would be taken from the A361 via a new, purpose-designed junction, with an additional emergency access for safety. The site’s long frontage onto the A361 creates opportunities to improve pedestrian and cycle connections and link into existing and planned routes.
High-quality design
The proposals are guided by a landscape-led masterplan that responds to the site’s topography, existing vegetation and views toward Highworth, including St Michael’s Church.
Built development would be arranged to create clear streets, character areas and green spaces, with homes overlooking parks and landscape corridors to promote safety and activity.
The layout prioritises communities, with walkable neighbourhoods, well-connected routes and carefully designed access points from the A361.
Landscaping and biodiversity
Existing woodland belts, trees and water features will be retained, alongside new planting, meadows and wetland areas to protect and enhance nature.
These measures would create a nature-rich environment and deliver a significant biodiversity net gain, ensuring the proposals contribute positively to the local ecology while providing attractive spaces for recreation and relaxation.
