Calne centre project due to get underway in May

The exciting new development project that's set to transform Calne town centre will get underway this summer.

North Wiltshire District Council and Westlea Housing are working in partnership on the redevelopment of Phelps Parade. When complete, this redevelopment will revitalise the town centre and provide a new Woolworths store, further shops and new homes.

As developer, Westlea has already obtained planning permission for the scheme which has been designed by its in-house architect’s team and is now selecting a contractor to complete the building work.

This work involves the demolition of part of the existing Phelps Parade that faces The Pippin, and its replacement with two new shops, the larger a Woolworths store, and another smaller unit. Above the shops will be 16 new affordable homes. The former residents of Westlea's existing maisonettes affected by the development have now all moved to new homes.

The District Council will be making other improvements to Phelps Parade which are likely to include new paving, landscaping and the replacement of shop canopies.

"We are delighted to be working closely with the District Council to develop this latest stage of improvements in Calne town centre," says Jo Curson, Head of Development for GreenSquare Group which includes Westlea Housing. "The new shops will give residents more choice and encourage trade in the town centre; and the new housing that's included will provide high quality homes for affordable rent, helping local people who are unable to afford to buy their own home."

"This is the third part of the District Council’s development of the Calne town centre sites, following completion of Sainsbury’s in 1999 and the library, shops and homes in 2002," says Dick Tonge, Leader of the Council. "The new scheme will regenerate the 1968-built Phelps Parade with a high quality new development. When complete residents of Calne will see a huge improvement in retail choice and architectural quality."

Mike Gayton, Senior Architectural Designer at Westlea, says the design of the new buildings and general layout has been carefully considered to fit well with both existing and possible future uses: "We have designed this project to help create a vibrant space for the local community. By removing the existing building and setting back the proposed building a new vista is created to Sainsbury’s which also provides more suitable space around the Zion chapel - an historically significant stone building built in around 1836. The design of the new building is intended to be a complimentary backdrop to the chapel.

"The development also extends the current retail frontage into The Pippen and possible future retail areas to the south. The residential accommodation is increased from five family units to sixteen 1-bed and 2-bed homes with easy access to local amenities."

Proposals are being drawn up for the second and third part of the project, this includes the refurbishment of the existing Phelps Parade and the new Square, and discussions are taking place with the developer of the fourth part- the construction of additional shops and homes.