Westinghouse Chippenham site to be demolished for homes

Signs warning of ongoing demolition works were placed on the gate to the former Westinghouse Brakes site, at the end of Hawthorn Road in Chippenham, ahead of the redevelopment of the area.

The site has been a feature of the town for decades, and had previously been a significant employer, but the derelict industrial buildings have now been earmarked for demolition.

In July an application for up to 333 new dwellings was approved for the site after a four-year planning process.

The former Westinghouse site (Image: Newsquest)The Vistry Partnerships development will make up the next phase of the regeneration of Langley Park following the completion of Aldi and Travelodge, and the beginning of the first phase of residential development undertaken by Crest Nicholson.

The current disused industrial buildings are being torn down to make way for this major scheme, and Bath Demolition Ltd signs recently went up at the former Hawthorn Road entrance to the complex.

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During the planning process, residents voiced their concerns regarding “noise” associated with the demolition and construction works which are now due to take place.

Environmental health officer Sophia Beglinger added that it was “unacceptable” to place a large residential development in an area where it would be “vulnerable to commercial and industrial plant noise.”

The gates to the former Westinghouse site (Image: Newsquest)This came after a noise assessment suggested that windows would need to “remain closed” to meet “the internal ambient noise criteria.”

Despite these concerns the council granted planning permission for the scheme this summer.

To protect the operation of the business park and future residents, an acoustic screening must be erected prior to the occupation of any new dwellings.

As well as a huge influx of new houses and flats, the regeneration of Langley Park will also see new parks and green spaces constructed, to create a new mixed-use neighbourhood at the southern part of the site.

The former Westinghouse site (Image: Newsquest)The new residential quarter, which has been named King’s Walk, will be accessible from Langley Road or several points off Foundry Lane.

In the design and access statement for the plans, developers claim the disused site will undergo a positive transformation.

They said: “These proposals present an exciting opportunity to regenerate this key brownfield site to provide a sustainable urban development.

“The proposed residential quarter, King’s Walk, brings together sustainability and quality, including both high-quality public realm improvements and integrated landscaping across the site.”