Update on homes set to be built at Wiltshire hospital site

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An update has been given on what the plans for new homes at a former Wiltshire hospital site will look like.

In January this year Wiltshire Council granted planning permission for 58 new homes and a 68 sq m commercial unit on the former Devizes Community Hospital.

The permit included the retention and conversion of two Victorian buildings - the former cottage hospital and the nurses home - to the east of the site.

Now Gainsborough Group Construction has revealed how the new estate - close to the town centre and the Kennet & Avon Canal - will be laid out, and what individual homes will look like.

The developer proposes that new homes will be built at a height of two and two-and-a-half storeys to complement the Victorian buildings, which are part of the town's Conservation Area.

The distinctive Victorian brick chimney, which can be seen from the canal, will be retained and will form the focal point of a communal green, with seating and interpretation boards to explain the history of the site.

And developers have decided that access between New Park Road and Couch Lane will be a cycle and pedestrian route only, to avoid the creation of a rat run.

"The design of the development was created purposely to bring the new and old together to create an all encompassing development with the old hospital as the key building and influence for architectural style and detailing but bring aspects of the wharf and industrial heritage into the design," says the architect.

The new homes will be built in a variety of style in a horseshoe formation looking in on the green and the historic buildings, with a gatehouse providing access from the historic buildings - which will be converted into apartments - to the contemporary buildings, some of which will overlook the canal.

The developer promises: "A safe and vibrant place to live and work (that) will enhance the area bring prosperity to a thriving town centre."

After decades of cuts, the final services offered at Devizes Community Hospital transferred to the new state-of-the-art Devizes Health Centre in 2022.

The town had already lost its maternity unit and inpatient care in 2007.

In 2025 urban explorers gained access to the abandoned hospital - which had since been sold by the NHS to the housing developer for £1.75 million - showing wheelchairs and trolleys in corridors.

Hospital beds and privacy curtains were still left there, and one room contained a large pile of office chairs.

A decision by Wiltshire Council is expected in March 2026.

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