Wiltshire Council has formally granted planning permission for up to 2,500 new homes at Ashton Park, south-east of Trowbridge.

The Council's Strategic Planning Committee resolved to approve the outline plans on 29 July, following the completion of legal agreements with developers Persimmon Homes and Barratt Redrow. The housebuilders will now bring forward detailed proposals covering design, layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping. Construction is expected to begin early next year, subject to approval.

The development represents one of the largest housing schemes in the county and will deliver significant investment in local infrastructure. Developers have committed £25.6 million in capital contributions, including £14.1 million for education, £3.3 million for healthcare, and £1.1 million to improve bus services. A further £7.5 million will be raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy to support local projects, with a share distributed to parish and town councils.

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A key feature of the plans is a £36.5 million relief road, including a new section of the A350 to bypass the congested West Ashton crossroads.

The long-term vision for Ashton Park also includes new schools, early years facilities, local centres, and an ecology visitor centre. Around 13.6 hectares of land will be set aside for employment use, designed to support economic growth in Trowbridge and the wider county.

Housing provision is also central to the scheme. Alongside 27% of homes reserved for local housing association partners, £5.4 million has been ringfenced to deliver affordable housing off-site. The development is expected to help address the needs of the more than 4,000 households currently on Wiltshire’s housing waiting list.