Fuming Devizes residents ‘astounded’ at valley housing plans

A proposal to build 59 homes in the valley to the west of Hillworth Road, Devizes, was approved three years ago following a hearing held by the planning inspectorate.

The proposal has now taken another step towards spades in the ground following last month’s submission of 'reserved matters', which establishes the details of the development before construction begins.

The latest submission, from October 9, states that the 59-home scheme will be made up of six one-bed homes, 29 two-bed homes, 17 three-bed homes, and seven four-bed homes.

The developers have said that 30 per cent, or a total of 18, of those would be affordable housing.

At the time the developers obtained outline planning permission, the inspector judged that the scheme would be 'harmful to the character and appearance of the area' due to the loss of countryside.

But he ruled this harm was minimised by the fact that part of the site was earmarked for development and therefore did not outweigh the 'package of benefits'.

The latest proposal appears to have already had a chilly reception, with a number of objections filed as part of the consultation.

Hillworth Valley, the site of the proposed development (Image: Newsquest)

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The new application has already sparked 'strong objections'.

Maria Rys-Reuten responded to the consultation by stating she is "astounded" that the plans have continued to move forward.

She wrote: "I must raise strong objections to this development. None of the issues raised since the last planning application by the firm have been or can be addressed."

Sarah and Martyn Lukas, meanwhile, said they "really strongly object to this development."

Among their concerns were that the entrance onto Hillworth Road from Long Street is "already very congested", and the possible impact on the "beautiful valley" and wildlife in the area.

Wiltshire Council had rejected the plans in November 2022 amid concerns about the impact on the character and appearance of the area, and on traffic congestion.

Among those who feared potential "gridlocks" in the area were town councillors Iain Wallis and Maria Hoult.

Cllr Hoult has reiterated her opposition to the plans, posting on social media two weeks ago that the day of the latest submission was "the day we all hoped wouldn’t come".

She has branded the proposal as a whole "completely inappropriate".

The consultation period for the proposal comes to an end on November 12.