Work to build more than 100 homes on the historic Wadworth Brewery site in Devizes will start this year.
Developer Backhouse Housing secured full planning permission for the scheme from Wiltshire Council in February. The proposals were unanimously approved by the authority’s Eastern Area Planning Committee.
The plans do not cover the Grade II listed Wadworth Brewery building, which is subject to a separate planning application.
The scheme includes 102 houses and flats, ranging from four bedrooms to studio apartments; a new shop; a public open area; pedestrian and cycling connections to the nearby canal; and 130 car parking spaces. There will also be eight ‘affordable homes’ as part of the development. Chippenham-based Backhouse has also agreed to provide ‘community benefits’ totally £461,000, it said.
The well-known site became vacant after Wadworth Brewery relocated to a new facility on Folly Road in the town in late 2023. The brewery has said it supports the redevelopment of its former home.
Stuart Walter, senior land and planning manager at Backhouse, said: “The former Wadworth Brewery is an important regeneration project for Devizes and we are very pleased to have achieved planning to deliver high-quality local homes at this location.
“This decision reflects our collaborative approach with officers, stakeholders, and the local community to create a high-quality, design-led scheme that is sensitive to its historic surroundings. We look forward to starting work on site soon.”
Work on site is expected to start in the summer, with completions anticipated in early 2027.
Backhouse has worked on a number of schemes in Wiltshire including in Calne, Westbury and Warminster.
“Beyond the delivery of new homes, the scheme will play a key role in supporting the local economy, creating jobs and opportunities throughout the construction phase and beyond,” a spokesperson for Backhouse added.
“The introduction of a new shop, improved public spaces, and enhanced pedestrian and cycling routes will also contribute to the wider community area, benefiting both new and existing residents.”