Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Ten sites have been put forward for development.
At their meeting last Wednesday, the WWDC cabinet agreed to put forward ten council-owned sites for development under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). The land provides the potential for up to 219 homes to be built across West Wiltshire, around half of those being planned.

The remaining 200 or so homes will be built on land provided by the PFI scheme's eventual operator - two housing association led consortia have been shortlisted to work with the Council, and a preferred bidder should be selected by summer 2008.

The successful partner will design, build, finance and manage the homes for the intended 30 year contract, in accordance with the council's requirements. All of the homes will be rented by people drawn from the housing register.

PFI project manager Chris Trowell said: "The land assembly for this scheme was always a challenge, as the District Council was told by the Government to put in land for at least 200 homes. We started with a list of 18 potential sites; following technical investigations and planning applications, we were left with a final list of ten. Fortunately, these sites have enough capacity for over 200 homes, which means we have met this major requirement."

The ten sites that will be put forward for development are:

Baytree Farm, Corsley (part) - four homes

Broad Street car park, Trowbridge (part) - 35 homes, subject to planning permission

Cherry Orchard, Codford - six homes

Hillside, Warminster - 33 homes

Paxcroft Mead, Hilperton - 23 homes

Southview Farm, Trowbridge (part) - 75 homes

Southwick Road, North Bradley - four homes

St Thomas' Road, Trowbridge (inc. St Thomas' Passage) - eight homes

Weymouth Street car park, Warminster - seven homes

York Buildings, Trowbridge (inc. part Delamere Road recreation ground) - 24 homes

Virginia Fortescue, the housing portfolio holder and chair of the PFI project board, said: "We have taken a major step towards getting these much needed new homes for west Wiltshire, and my thanks go to everyone who has taken the time to get involved in the consultations and discussions around this land list over the past year. We can now concentrate on securing a contract for the scheme, and we hope to select our preferred bidder by the summer. That will keep us on schedule for construction to start in 2009, with the homes occupied by the end of 2011."