Plans for 50 homes that would have been used to rehouse residents in ‘rotting’ accommodation have been dropped. 

Developers GreenSquareAccord proposed to build the estate on the green at Westwood Road in Rudloe, Corsham, and demolish a community centre there which is currently not being used and replace it with a new one.  

However, others in the town wanted to preserve the community centre so the proposal has been fiercely fought over.  

One resident who was set to be rehoused is Jo Collier, 47 a pharmacy administrator who lives at 24 Westwood Road.

Her property was one on the estate that was going to be demolished after she was moved.

“There’s asbestos, black mould and I’ve got rotting floors," she claimed.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Black mould at Ms Collier's property

“We were going to be moved so any repairs that we’ve reported have just been bodged because they kept saying ‘we don’t need to fix it because you’re moving soon’.”

GreenSquareAccord said in response: “We are sorry to hear that Ms Collier is having difficulties with her home and we are committed to working with her to address these. 

 “After making the difficult decision not to move ahead with the proposed regeneration, we instructed a surveyor to audit all our homes in Rudloe which were earmarked for demolition.

“This is now complete and we await the surveyor’s report to establish our next steps for investing in these homes.” 

Corsham Councillor Derek Walters wanted to make sure the community centre was not demolished and strongly opposed the plans. 

He said: “The plan to knock down a community centre that was in perfectly good condition and only 20 years old was considered unbelievably wasteful when it was proposed.  

“I proposed to GSA a compromise plan that preserved the centre and green but they turned that down.  

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

“There is a suggestion that objectors were responsible for the withdrawal of the scheme but I think all developers have had to reassess their plans in the light of changing conditions in the construction business. 

“Wiltshire Council are looking for someone else to take over the centre. Various local groups and myself are investigating ways to reopen the centre for a variety of community-enhancing uses. Anyone prepared to do something should contact me on derek.walters@wiltshire.gov.uk

"Spare a thought though for the people who live in poor housing who had hoped for new accommodation as part of the now retired scheme. I am doing my best to work on their behalf to get them rehoused.” 

A spokesperson for GreenSquareAccord said in response: “We are sorry that the proposed regeneration of Rudloe will not be able to proceed.  

“The scheme, which was a decade in the making, would have seen millions of pounds invested into the area, including the building of new, high-quality affordable homes.  

“The plans included the removal of the community centre which has sat unused for many years and its replacement with a new more suitable community facility. These plans were created in partnership with local residents during a lengthy consultation process and until recently they enjoyed the support of all councillors who represent the ward which Rudloe sits in.  

“More recently a small number of people have opposed the demolition of the community centre and the relocation of the green space at Rudloe which caused delays and meant we had to redesign the entire project.  

“The redesign carried significant cost implications, meaning we could fit fewer homes onto the site. This combined with the current significant pressures on the economy and our organisation, has meant the scheme is not viable.”