+ Where is the site?

The site is located to the west of Milbourne in Wiltshire, and within walking distance ofthe centre of Malmesbury. The site is bounded to the west by the A429 and a number of existing properties on Milbourne Lane and Milbourne Park to the east.

+ What are the plans?

Miller Homes is preparing proposals on land to the west of Milbourne. The proposed development is anticipated to deliver approximately 90 new homes, and a planning application is expected to be submitted to Wiltshire Council shortly.

The proposals will include:

• The delivery of approximately 90 high-quality new homes
• The provision of 40% affordable homes, in line with Wiltshire Council policy, helping existing local residents to purchase their first home
• A sympathetically designed development which positively responds to existing features of the site and respects the character of the surrounding homes
• A focus on sustainably delivering these homes – options include the installation of electric vehicle charging points, air source heat pumps and photovoltaic (solar) panels
• New areas of public open space and green infrastructure, helping to deliver biodiversity improvements
• Footpath and cycle path connectivity improvements to Malmesbury, supporting a sustainable development for pedestrians and cyclists

+ What about an increase in traffic?

Miller Homes will continue to work with Wiltshire Council on a variety ofpossible highways and access solutions prior to the determination of a planning application.

+ What are your plans to protect wildlife and trees?

In developing the proposals, Miller Homes has sought to retain the majority of existing trees and hedgerows in order to support ecologically valuable habitats. The plans provide the opportunity for planting of more trees and hedgerows to encourage a green infrastructure and will be delivering a 10% net gain in biodiversity on the site. We have conducted extensive ecological and arboricultural surveys as part of the preparation of our planning application, and these will be submitted to Wiltshire Council as part of our planning application.

+ What about flooding?

The site falls within flood zone one, which is at the lowest risk of fluvial flooding, has been fully assessed, and is suitable for new homes. Any surface water flooding will be mitigated with appropriate drainage strategies, through sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS). This will ensure that the water run-off rate from the site will be managed and released back into local water courses.

+ Why does Wiltshire need more homes?

The proposals aim to help Wiltshire Council deliver some of their key objectives by creating a thriving economy with healthy communities and environmental safeguards as well as helping to meet an identified local housing need, as well as Government targets for new homes more widely.

The development would deliver around 90 new homes, comprising a range of types and sizes, including 40% affordable homes. This would offer opportunities for young people and first-time buyers to purchase a property whilst remaining in the local area, and would also offer choice to existing local residents wishing to downsize their current property whilst remaining in Malmesbury and the surrounding area.

+ Will there be affordable houses?

Miller Homes is keen to work with the Council to deliver the right types of houses in order to help to meet the demand, with a combination of first-time buyer and larger family homes included. This would also result in 40% of the homes delivered being affordable, in line with Wiltshire Council policy. As part of the consultation process Miller Homes is keen to hear what type, tenure and size of homes Malmesbury needs. They are considering a variety of options to help support home ownership in the area, including the provision of First Homes, a relatively new Government scheme to support local first time buyers, including keyworkers, on to the property ladder by offering new-build homes with a discount of at least 30% compared to market prices.

+ What will the development look like?

Having engaged with Wiltshire Council, wewill consider responses resulting from the stakeholder engagement and public consultation programme on how this development could be in keeping with the surrounding area. Whilst further details around design would form part of an Reserved Matters application, a key principle for Miller Homes is that scale and density of the proposed site will be sensitive to the surrounding area and make the best use of the land available without compromising on design or quality.

The exact number of new homes, sizes and types of homes to be delivered on the site would form part of a future Reserved Matters applications. The Outline planning application which we will submit to Wiltshire Council in due course will seek to establish the principle of development of the site and agree the proposed access off of the A429.

+ How will you ensure adequate car parking?

The planning process will consider not only housing need but also associated parking provision. Design standards will be utilised to deliver good quality developments that take car usage into consideration and also incorporates sustainable transport initiatives. The exact number of car parking spaces will be determined during a future Reserved Matters application once the finalise housing mix is known.

However, Miller Homes is also committed to ensuring that residents and visitors can also access the site using sustainable modes of transport. As such our application will look to improve pedestrian and cycle links to and from the site, enabling safe and sustainable access to employment or leisure activities in Malmesbury and the surrounding area.

+ What about the pressure on existing services?

Miller Homes recognises the need to work with the Council to ensure sufficient provision is made for existing services including health and education services for both existing and new residents. Stakeholder engagement will be carried out as part of the outline planning application process and future reserved matters applications, all feedback will be incorporated into the final submission, and where necessary, appropriate financial contributions will be made to Wiltshire Council which can then be directed tolocal services and facilities.

+ What other facilities will your development provide?

Miller Homes is looking to provide green open space and sensitive landscaping alongside improvements to local infrastructure. Any s106 contributions will also look to support Wiltshire Council to further enhance the local area. As part of our consultation process the team are keen to hear from local residents as to what their area needs, and would welcome comments and suggestions on this.

+ Who is Miller Homes?

Miller Homes is enormously proud of the homes that they have been building for more than 85 years. Since 1934, they have built around 100,000 new homes and throughout that time, they have been listening to their customers and learning from them - from insisting on the best workmanship and the highest quality materials right through to recognising their responsibilities to the environment. Miller Homes’ wide range of new homes for sale have all been built with their customers' needs in mind. Miller Homes understands that when you’re searching for a new home, you also want the perfect location. A place where people will make friends, enjoy family life and take pride in their neighbourhoods and surroundings. They proud of the independent surveys that consistently show their high levels of customer satisfaction and have rated them 5 stars for customer satisfaction. That’s the real barometer of their quality, their service and the trust people place in them.