Devizes locals debate plans for Wadworth Brewery regeneration

With Wadworth leaving their historic location on Northgate Street for a state of the art brewery just off London Road next Spring, developers Backhouse have showcased their designs for the development of the soon to be disused site.

These include a proposal for 100 new homes, both one and two bedroom apartments and two to four bedroom houses, 200 square metres of retail space, 175 square metres of community space and 153 car parking spaces.

Backhouse propose a significant residential project. (Image: Newsquest)

Members of the public were able to view the plans for the regeneration of the brewery at a public exhibition on Wednesday, December 14.

Some, like Mandy Fishlock who lives on Northgate Street, are worried about the impact the influx of new residents will have on traffic.

She said: “It’s good to think the land is going to be used however my concern is the number of houses on a site that size.

“The area around that junction is one of the most congested in the town, particularly at peak times, and there has been a lot of concern about air quality.

“My concern as a resident is the impact of another 100 cars on an already overly busy road”.

Karen Johnson echoed her concerns and was worried about what increased air pollution meant for her 94-year-old mother, who lives in Anstie Court behind the brewery.

She added: “Her air quality is already poor in the summer. They’re talking about building a two-storey building close to where she lives so she would not only have worse air but also there would be a drop in the light going into her building and her quality of life”.

Locals were keen to voice their concerns at the exhibition. (Image: Newsquest)

Others, like Charles Jenkins who has lived in Devizes for a decade, felt that the need for new homes outweighed the concerns about traffic congestion.

He said: “One thing I’ve learnt from living in Devizes the last ten years is that wherever you put housing it’s going to cause a traffic problem.

“I personally think it’s far better having properties in the centre of town than on the outskirts of the town which would bring all the traffic in and out of the centre.

"If somebody in this development wanted to go shopping they could do it on foot”.

Ken Brown, a Devizes inhabitant for 21 years, agreed that there was a demand for new homes in the area, but warned that they must be made affordable to local people.

“The demand for homes is currently outstripping supply”, he said. “The key question is what the sale value of the properties is going to be.

“I think there are a lot of houses that aren’t affordable for local people, particularly people looking to get onto the property ladder.

“I assume there will be affordable housing mixed into the development and if that is the case then hopefully it will work”.

One of the things that pleased locals most was the way the plans incorporated the historic site, with the grade II listed buildings set to be preserved.

Mr Brown added: “I think the architect has been very conscious about the layout… I am pleased they seem to be protecting the original brewery building”.

Tina Sadleir agreed that the proposals both preserved the historic building and brought forward an exciting new design.

She said: “I really like it… I think it is really imaginative and this is how we need to move on in terms of design”.

People can continue to have their say with the public consultation of the plans running until January 8, 2023. Backhouse intends to submit a planning application in spring 2023.