Local News · Devizes
Devizes nature scheme to help unlock thousands of Wiltshire homes
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A new 15-hectare environmental restoration project near Devizes is set to provide the necessary phosphorus mitigation to allow over 3,500 new homes to proceed.
A significant environmental project near Devizes has launched with the aim of overcoming one of the most persistent hurdles to new housing development in Wiltshire. The 15-hectare site at Lydeway is being transformed into a nature-rich landscape to provide the phosphorus mitigation required to progress housing applications within the Hampshire Avon catchment.
Under existing environmental regulations, developers must prove that new residential construction will not increase phosphorus pollution in the River Avon, which is a protected waterway. Excessive phosphorus from wastewater can degrade water quality and harm the river’s ecosystem. When builders cannot implement adequate mitigation on-site, they must fund off-site schemes to offset their impact.
The Lydeway project, developed by Greenshank Environmental, is designed to generate 13.63kg of phosphorus mitigation annually. This environmental headroom is intended to allow developers to progress with housing schemes that have previously been stalled by these planning requirements. The site, which was previously used for intensive cereal farming, is being converted into a diverse mix of grassland, scrub, wetland and traditional orchard. Plans for the area include the reinforcement of existing hedgerows and the creation of new ponds and pools to encourage local wildlife.
Dr Gabriel Connor-Streich, chief executive and principal environmental scientist at Greenshank Environmental, stated that the scheme is intended to support the county's need for new housing while simultaneously ensuring the protection of the Hampshire Avon. He noted that the initiative is focused on long-term ecological health, moving beyond short-term planning cycles to create lasting biodiversity gains.
The pressure to accelerate housing delivery in Wiltshire remains significant. According to recent government data from the Housing Delivery Test, the county reached 93 per cent of its required homes over the past three years. However, with future targets rising by 84 per cent to more than 3,500 homes annually, land-based mitigation projects have become an increasingly vital component of the planning process.
Beyond its primary function as a mitigation tool, the Lydeway site is intended to support Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. Greenshank Environmental has also indicated plans to open the space to schools, community groups and local organisations in the future, providing a dedicated area for the public to experience and engage with the local landscape.
Source: Wiltshire Times · View original