Emery Gate redevelopment plans submitted in Chippenham

Acorn Property Group has lodged a planning application with Wiltshire Council for the overhaul of Emery Gate in Chippenham.

The plans, designed to combat the impact of falling footfall at the centre, include the creation of 225 homes at the site.

The proposals also seek to regenerate the current retail offering at the centre and will include 40,000sq feet of retail, leisure, health, food, and beverage offerings across 17 new units.

Permission has been sought for the part-demolition of existing buildings to create open-air retail areas, integration with Island Park from the High Street, and a new terrace looking over the park.

The frontage of the centre on the High Street would also be completely replaced with a “significantly improved” presence.

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What Emery Gate could look like from the High Street (Image: Acorn Property Group) Dane Cummings, head of commercial property at Acorn Property Group, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has engaged with our plans over the past year.

“Chippenham Riverside is an exciting and ambitious project, which is a once in a generation opportunity to transform and enhance Chippenham Town Centre, but one that is also viable and achievable.

“We’re confident that it will be a development that the whole town can be proud of, and we’re committed to delivering on this vision.”

Over the last year, Acorn has developed the plans alongside Lambert Smith Hampton and has received feedback from hundreds of residents during consultations.

The plans have split residents and councillors with many concerned about a range of issues including the impact of the development on traffic in the town centre.

Others have been supportive of the idea that the shopping centre needs to adapt following high-profile closures like the Tesco superstore.

Plans for Emery Gate (Image: Acorn Property Group) Mr Cummings believes the proposal would be the largest investment in Chippenham for decades.

He added: “The redevelopment of Emery Gate represents the largest investment in Chippenham in decades, enhancing the town’s commercial, leisure and residential offerings.

“Acorn Property Group is committed to delivering a project that will provide lasting value and contribute to the town’s future growth.”

Wiltshire Council is now running a consultation on the plans that will last until February 20.

Residents can comment on the application until then via the council website by using the reference number PL/2024/11661.

Acorn says it will continue to listen to feedback submitted during the consultation as the application progresses.