Plans approved for £50m shopping centre revamp

A market town is in line for a £50 million transformation after ambitious redevelopment plans were approved.

The Chippenham Riverside project will see 225 new homes created at the Emery Gate shopping centre in the Wiltshire town, along with space for shops, leisure facilities and restaurants.

Wiltshire Council's planning officers said that the proposals represent a "transformational opportunity for the regeneration of Chippenham."

Lee Davies, director of HNW Architects which helped design the proposals, said the project would "repair the townscape, open up the riverside and create a piece of Chippenham that works throughout the day and into the evening".

The plans were approved by Wiltshire Council on 10 February in what has been described as "one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in the town centre for decades."

Council leader Ian Thorn said: "Securing planning permission is a significant and positive milestone in enabling this project to progress. It signals real confidence in the future of Chippenham town centre."

Chippenham Riverside, developed by HNW Architects for the Acorn Property Group which owns Emery Gate, will connect the town's High Street with new routes between Island Park and the River Avon.

Plans for the project were submitted to Wiltshire Council following a consultation with 600 people.

There are hopes the project will boost Chippenham's night-time economy and help it become a "destination" town, rather than simply known as a commuter town for cities such as Bristol and London.

Dane Cummings, of the Acorn Property Group, said: "Emery Gate is a pivotal site, and this decision allows us to invest with confidence in a development that will support the town's economy, create sustainable new homes and bring long-term benefits for residents, businesses and visitors alike."

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.