Work takes place at long-empty Chippenham store as chain makes offer

The old Burton store in Chippenham Market Place has been empty for a number of years but could soon be brought back into use after the owner, Riverstreet Developments, was approached by a national operator wishing to lease the ground floor.

The landlord told this paper that they were currently unable to confirm who this retailer is, but construction work has been ongoing on the building’s ground floor.

Planning permission had been granted last year to convert the former store into seven new residential units, following a lack of market interest in the property.

But while this permission remains valid, Riverstreet Developments has since been approached by a potential occupant and now intends to lease out the space as a retail unit.

Instead of implementing the approved plans, the owner has now lodged a proposal to retain the commercial ground floor and extend the building by constructing a mansard roof.

The former Burton store in Chippenham (Image: Newsquest)

This would facilitate a second floor with four new one-bedroom dwellings.

The first floor would be used for office and storage space while the iconic Burton signage would be preserved.

In their design and access statement, developers RAW Planning said: “Both ground and first floor are to be leased to a national retailer, which would boost the local economy and bring back a rare and much needed empty shop into economic use.”

Despite support for the idea of retaining the retail unit, Chippenham Town Council has voiced objections to the scheme to create new homes at the property.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Chippenham Town Council planning committee, Cllr Matthew Short said: “I think we all feel a bit sad when we walk past the Burton building and see it empty and deteriorating so we do want to see something happen to it, but we want to make sure it’s right.

“The plans do retain ground floor retail and accommodation up above is a good use for it.

“It’s an important thing to get right.”

The Burton store before its closure (Image: Google Maps)

The council believes that the new scheme is “better” for the town than the one which has already been approved.

But councillors remained cautious that if both were implemented it would place pressure on parking and bin collection in the area.

After voting to object to the plans, a spokesperson listed a lack of enhancement of the building, and the size and layout of the proposed flats, as reasons for this decision.