Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

At last something might get started ...
The 5.5 acre Kingston Mills site occupies a prime position in the centre of Bradford on Avon and is of crucial importance to the future of the town.

In July 2007 Taylor Woodrow sold Kingston Mills to Bristol-based developers Linden Homes, who specialise in developing 'brownfield' sites. They made some amendments to the original plan and also made an effort to work with the community.

The plans are for 170 dwellings and some commercial floor space for retail and office uses. The hotel in the original scheme has been removed and replaced with affordable housing and more parking spaces. Separate applications for listed building and conservation area consent were also approved, though the listed building aspects have to be considered by HM government before formal permission can be issued.

The five storey 'block' on the river frontage caused a good deal of debate but the committee decided that it should be retained as shown on the plans. A suggestion to remove the very top of it was made, but didn't find favour with a majority of the committee.

The developers assured the committee that they wanted to proceed with the building and demolition work as soon as possible and so let's hope that they are true to their word.