Persimmon Homes Wessex and Selwood Housing have formalised a new agreement to deliver additional affordable homes at the Backbridge Farm development in Malmesbury.

The two organisations have exchanged contracts on six high-quality homes, which Persimmon will complete and hand over to Selwood Housing. The properties form part of the Punters Farm extension adjacent to Backbridge Farm, where Persimmon recently secured permission to build 21 new homes. The latest agreement brings the total number of homes transferred to Selwood in Malmesbury to more than 80.

Key representatives from Wiltshire Council's new Cabinet visited the site to mark the announcement. They included Cllr Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing; Cllr Gavin Grant, responsible for the finance portfolio; and Cllr Martin Smith, who oversees Highways, Streetscene and Flooding. Cllr Smith also represents the Sherston division where the site is located, while Cllr Grant represents Malmesbury.

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The new homes will be zero carbon-ready, featuring air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points. The scheme will also include a new vehicular access route to the local tennis club. Residents will benefit from the infrastructure already in place at Backbridge Farm, including a village green, play areas, pocket parks, attenuation ponds, and a new footbridge connecting the development to the town. A 10% Biodiversity Net Gain will also be delivered through on-site ecological enhancements.

Seb Spiller, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: "Persimmon is delighted to partner once again with Selwood Housing after establishing a positive relationship with them across multiple sites over the years.

"Tackling the housing crisis requires a positive and collaborative approach, and we were also pleased to welcome senior figures from the new Wiltshire Council administration to see our work on-site in Malmesbury. We're committed to working closely with our housing association partners such as Selwood, and the local authority, to deliver high-quality new homes for local people in Malmesbury and right across Wiltshire."

Paul Walsh, Group Development Director for Selwood Housing, added: "Selwood Housing is pleased to be delivering more local affordable homes increasing its stock in Malmesbury through this agreement with Persimmon, bringing our total on the Backbridge and Punters Farms sites to over 80 new, low-cost homes.

"This final phase of homes at Persimmon’s site in town will make a real difference in helping local people find stable homes and get onto the housing ladder."