Devizes development—at a price

AFTER a first refusal, a developer has managed to get planning permission to build flats at The Wharf in Devizes, despite objections—but at a cost of £152,000.

Developer McCarthey & Stone has been granted planning permission after its second attempt to build, despite objections from local residents and two councillors, but the company has to provide  £144,000 towards affordable housing and £8,000 towards ecology projects on the Kennet & Avon Canal, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Alterations

Also, there are two flats fewer than originally planned and the height of the building has been reduced. Extra car parking has to be provided.

Even then, Councillor Jeff Ody complained:

"My primary concern is the sense of shoe horning the development on to the site. The amount of open space to residents of this building around the site is minimal. I think that's deplorable.

"The result is we have a massive and overbearing building which has more of a resemblance to a jail than a building of attraction."

Another councillor, Christopher Newbury, also complained:

"I'm absolutely appalled by the concrete jungle approach to development on this site. I'm still at a loss how this preserves or enhances the conservation area."

The committee voted 6-2 to grant planning permission.