Wadworth brewery redevelopment approved in Devizes

At a meeting on Thursday, February 27, Wiltshire Council’s Eastern Area Planning Committee approved plans to redevelop the old Wadworth Brewery site on Northgate Street in Devizes.

The proposal, submitted by housebuilder Backhouse, will see 102 homes built on a large section of the former brewery, following Wadworth’s relocation to Folly Road.

This did not cover the brewery tower, with the future of the listed building elements still to be dealt with under a separate application.

The decision to give the green light was made despite opposition from the site’s neighbours and other groups, including Devizes Town Council and the Assize Court Trust.

There was visible frustration from multiple residents who attended the meeting when the decision was announced.

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Plans for the Wadworth brewery redevelopment (Image: Backhouse) Many who live in Anstie Court retirement housing, which borders the development, argued the proposed buildings would “overwhelm” their homes.

Speaking for residents, Peter Hardman said: “This would have an enormous impact, the proposed townhouses are significantly taller than Anstie Court.

“It’s obviously going to overwhelm our homes and anybody living in the development will be looking down into our properties, we find it hard to comprehend.”

There were also concerns about how the estate would link with nearby heritage assets like the Devizes Assize Court, which is set to be transformed into the Wiltshire Museum in the coming years.

Caroline Kay, the chair of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, said it was “unacceptable” that the development didn’t provide better and safer links with the planned museum.

She, along with Devizes Town Council and Devizes North representative Cllr Iain Wallis, called for the committee to defer a decision to allow the developers to make more alterations to the layout of the scheme.

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Plans for the Wadworth brewery redevelopment (Image: Backhouse) Cllr Wallis said: “I do want to see development on this site, and I think the majority of the community does as well.

“It’s such an important site and the gateway to the town, we only get one chance at this, we need to take different stakeholders into account.”

A lack of affordable housing was also a worry for councillors, with only eight properties reserved, but it was added this could potentially be increased through a Homes England grant.

Despite these reservations, members of the committee were recommended to approve the application by council officers.

A report found the “substantial benefits” of revitalising a vacant brownfield site would outweigh any harm caused.

This was a view supported by the committee, who voted unanimously to approve the development, subject to conditions.

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Plans for the Wadworth brewery redevelopment (Image: Backhouse) Cllr Dominic Muns felt the “clever” scheme would “open up” that end of Devizes and play a part in the regeneration of the wider Wharf area.

Other councillors voiced concerns about the limitations of the project but warned it would be worse to leave the site vacant.

Cllr Paul Oatway said: “If this isn’t developed Devizes will be left with this awful eyesore.”

Cabinet member for planning Cllr Nick Botterill, who was not on the committee but spoke in favour of the scheme, added: “Brownfield sites are very difficult… we have to be aware of not making perfect the enemy of good.

“This has got to a stage where it ticks most of the boxes, it’s the gateway to Devizes and what we don’t want in 10 years is for it to be an empty dystopian landscape like Innox Mills in Trowbridge.”

Backhouse representative Stuart Walter told the committee the firm had worked closely with residents and stakeholders, including the developer of the remainder of the site, to create a “high-quality” development that would give the vacant land a “new lease of life.”