300-homes and sailing club set for green light

Construction of 300 houses and new sailing club facilities has moved a step forward with Wiltshire councillors expected to grant planning consent for the scheme.Alder King submitted a hybrid application for the 54.1-acre site on behalf of Square Bay (Westbury) earlier this year. Square Bay completed the purchase of the greenfield site, located on the north western edge of Westbury, in March 2015.The proposals cover outline planning for up to 300 new homes, public open space, access and highways infrastructure including a bridge over the adjoining railway line.A full application has also been submitted for the relocation of the West Wilts Youth Sailing Association club to the north of Westbury Sailing Lake with a new club house, dinghy park and parking.The sailing club currently operates from temporary premises to the East of the lake and will relocate to provide space for access to the residential development.The site is identified in the Wiltshire Core Strategy as having the potential to provide about 250 new homes.Both parts of the application are recommended for approval by a report prepared ahead of Wiltshire Council’s strategic planning committee meeting on11 May 2016.This is subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement to secure a £2m financial contribution towards a new distributor road.