Consultation begins for Neighbourhood Development Plan

Salisbury City Council is asking for your views on potential sites for new development in Salisbury.

The Salisbury Neighbourhood Development Planning Steering Group (SNDP SG) have been working since 2019 to bring forward a new set of planning policies for Salisbury to manage and improve the development of the city in future years.

As part of this planning process, the group are asking local landowners to put forward sites to be considered for new development.

It said, “The Neighbourhood Development Plan confirm that local people are struggling to find affordable homes to buy or rent. We also think these homes need to be of good quality, varied and in places with good facilities and access to neighbours.

“We want your views on the following potential development sites.”

The Quarry, Wilton Road

This disused quarry, near Bemerton Heath, was first excavated around 100 years ago and is a significant area of unused “brownfield” land within Salisbury City’s boundary.

Salisbury city council say they have been working to develop a plan to make this into an exciting, innovative, new housing scheme complete with a community hub that facilitates home working, as well as ample green infrastructure to create a green and healthy living environment.

The scheme could provide between 300 and 400 new homes, many or all affordable and available for younger people. It could have excellent links to the surrounding community so that neighbours also enjoy the new green environment.

Due to the unusual location and landform of this former quarry, innovative and modern design solutions will be sought for both built and natural environment.

Coldharbour Lane

According to the group, “this site offers an opportunity to develop new 100% affordable housing and better, easy to run, accommodation for older Salisbury people who are unable to afford market-rate rented housing designed to make life easier day-to-day. This scheme could provide 60 units.”

The scheme will redevelop a brownfield site in a pleasant area and may create better access to the River Avon. It is also possible that the scheme could have a pocket riverside park accessible to locals and Waitrose customers.

It is hoped that, once the site has occupied other homes it could be redeveloped or upgraded for younger people and families enabling them to live affordably in established communities within the City.

Brown Street Car Park

This site will be fully considered if a current study confirms that it is no longer required for parking.

The proposal is to create a “biophilic” design that will be a combination of high quality affordable (probably council-owned) and market housing as well as other uses that would benefit the City. Which could include a flexible space for the NHS or a community café.

The group says, “this could be an exciting and innovative scheme which becomes an attraction in its own right. There is potential to sensitively encourage regeneration of the wider neighbourhood and highlight the centuries-old Antelope Chequer.

“A biophilic development would be one of the first in England. It would help trial a contemporary response to living sustainably in the City.”

Consultation Events and Activity

The aim of the consultation is to ensure that The Neighbourhood Development Planning Steering Group understand residents and other stakeholder’s views on these sites so that the Neighbourhood Plan can take account of these. If the sites proceed there would be more detailed planning led consultations next year.

There will be face to face consultations on the Market Place on Saturday 11th September and Saturday 2nd October. The group will also be available at the Salisbury Transition City People in the Park event on 18th September 2021 ready to discuss the ideas for the sites.

Cllr Jo Broom, the Chairman of the Steering Group said “Please do have a look at the ideas for these potential development sites in the city. The Steering Group are keen to know what you think about the plans we have developed so far. Here is a chance to make a real difference to the future of Salisbury. Come and meet the Steering Group and let us know what you think!”

Full details will also be made available on the City Council’s website, where there will be a link to an online consultation too.

In October there will be local consultations for each site involving residents and other stakeholders.

For more information, click here.

Image from Google Maps Street View.