Demolition work starts at old Chippenham ambulance station

Earlier this year, plans were approved for 95 homes at the old Chippenham ambulance station on Malmesbury Road, following a four-year planning process.

The site is set for redevelopment after the Wiltshire Ambulance Service left it vacant several years ago when it transitioned to a new station on Bath Road.

Work to convert the disused station into a new housing estate, which will be known as Oak Hill Rise, now appears to have begun.

Crews from Bath Demolition Ltd are currently working at the site, with the vacant buildings set to be torn down and replaced by “high-quality energy efficient homes”.

Persimmon Homes Wessex, the housebuilder that secured planning permission for the scheme, has previously said first occupations are expected by 2025.

READ MORE: Nearly 100 new homes on site of old ambulance station given green light

Demolition crews at the old Chippenham ambulance station (Image: Newsquest)

The proposals proved controversial during the lengthy planning process and at one point a request was made for the application to be called in for debate at the area board, although this was later withdrawn.

But speaking after approval was granted, Julian Roper, the managing director of Persimmon Homes Wessex, said the “exciting” scheme was an important step towards meeting local housing needs.

He added: “Persimmon is delighted to have secured planning permission from Wiltshire Council to bring 95 new, high-quality homes for local people to Chippenham.

“The exciting scheme will see us build homes with quality our customers can rely on at a price they can afford, while we also transfer 26 properties to a local housing association to help tackle local housing needs.”

The homes will range in size and capacity but all 95 are due to be “energy efficient and supported with solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.”

The site will be no-gas with all homes powered by air source heat pumps.

Demolition crews at the old Chippenham ambulance station (Image: Newsquest)

Persimmon hopes the development will leave a “positive legacy” in Chippenham.

The housebuilder hopes to do this by investing in travel infrastructure and biodiversity improvements.

Mr Roper added: “As part of our mission to leave a positive and lasting legacy, we will also be delivering active travel links, biodiversity enhancements, and contributing over £1m towards infrastructure improvements in Chippenham.

“The project team at Persimmon has worked proactively with local authority officers and other stakeholders to develop a high-quality scheme that works for the site's unique potential and challenges, and we look forward to delivering on the vision we’ve built together.”