Major update on plans for 650 new homes in Chippenham

Phase one of the Rawlings Green development, at Rawlings Farm on the northeastern edge of Chippenham, would see the construction of 196 homes.

Outline planning permission for the new estate, which would total 650 properties after a second 454-home phase, was granted in 2021.

Since then, progress on the project has been hit by delays after residents and town councillors opposed two more detailed applications for these phases.

For several months, Wiltshire Council had been waiting for developers Summix and Crest Nicholson to submit updated documents addressing concerns raised during an initial consultation.

These amended plans have now been lodged for the first phase, and another public consultation is underway.

The plans could see increased traffic on New Road and Station Hill in Chippenham (Image: Gary Lawrence)

The latest submissions include dozens of new and updated documents which can be viewed in full on the Wiltshire Council website.

Residents can have their say on the proposals until the consultation ends on April 8.

At this stage, no new decision deadline has been set by the council for the first phase application.

Earlier this year, before the documents were submitted, a spokesperson from Crest Nicholson told this paper the housebuilder remained committed to delivering the new homes.

They said: “Crest Nicholson remains committed to progressing the Rawlings Green development in Chippenham.

“We are currently working closely with the council and their consultees to update the planning application, and we aim to submit this update within the next two months”.

At this stage, no further plans have been submitted for phase two of the project, which comprises 454 homes, a care home, and five commercial buildings.

Under the conditions of the outline planning permission, a new link road to the B4069 Langley Road would have to be built before 200 homes are occupied.

Some residents and town councillors fear the first phase could be completed before this happens, creating more traffic in Monkton Park, particularly on the busy Station Hill.

A third application is seeking permission to alter the outline plans by relocating the proposed care home and changing the use of planned employment buildings, and also remains undecided.

Last year, Wiltshire Council told this paper there is no updated deadline by which it expects to issue decisions on the plans because it was waiting for further information from the applicant.