Politics & Council · Wiltshire-wide
Future of 410-home Royal Wootton Bassett scheme hangs in the balance
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Development plans for a large housing site at Woodshaw remain at a standstill as the council works on a new county-wide Local Plan.
The future of a proposed 410-home development on the edge of Royal Wootton Bassett remains uncertain, as Wiltshire Council balances a specific planning application against the broader, ongoing development of its new Local Plan.
The scheme, earmarked for land at Woodshaw to the south of the A3102, has been in the spotlight for some time. While the council’s Strategic Planning Committee resolved in July 2025 to approve the outline planning application, the project has yet to move to the final stage. The formal decision notice has not been issued because the developer, David Wilson Homes, must first complete a Section 106 legal agreement.
This type of agreement is a mandatory legal mechanism, requiring developers to provide contributions toward local infrastructure, such as schools, healthcare facilities, affordable housing and public open space, to mitigate the impact of the new residents on the town.
The proposed development has faced significant local opposition. Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and many local residents have formally objected to the plans. Concerns centre largely on the potential for increased traffic congestion along the A3102 and the strain such a large addition of housing could place on existing town facilities.
While the planning committee's resolution suggests support in principle, the site’s status is complicated by the council's wider planning processes. The Woodshaw site had previously been included in a draft version of the Wiltshire Local Plan, but that document was withdrawn in May 2026. This means the previous allocation no longer serves as a basis for development approval.
Wiltshire Council is now working to establish a new Local Plan to guide development across the county for the coming years. Nic Thomas, the council’s director of planning, economy and climate, confirmed that it remains too early to determine which specific sites will be selected for future allocation.
The council recently concluded a call for sites on 30 September, inviting landowners and developers to suggest land for potential development, though officials have stressed that submission does not equate to approval. As the council navigates this new planning landscape, the Woodshaw application sits in a state of limbo, awaiting the finalisation of its legal obligations while the wider town waits to see how the new Local Plan will shape the future of Royal Wootton Bassett.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Politics · View original