The derelict former Cooperative site is likely to remain derelict and undeveloped for the foreseeable future. The reason for this is that the current owners and developers, Hawkfield Homes, went into administration on Friday 17th November 2023. This was rather a surprise as they had submitted amended plans for the site’s development as recently as 26th October.
It is no secret that I was not in favour of the plans Hawkfield Homes had submitted, and whilst improved, the latest plans did not address all the concerns. I am not against development of this site; in fact, I said back in August of last year that I expected this site to be developed in some form as it is a brown field site (see here)
Now with this latest news, it could be several more years until someone purchases and puts through any acceptable plans for the site. I do see this as an opportunity to engage with any new developer to get something both viable for them and fitting to the location in the heart of the conservation area and town centre as well as providing something that the town really wants and needs.
Anti-Social Behaviour
This site has been a known hotspot for Anti-Social Behaviour from Children in the town some as young as eleven, who have repeatedly broken into the site and even tried to start a fire. The most recent occurrence was this Sunday, the 19th of November, where a group of children were seen gaining access to the site, but ran away when they realised, I had spotted them and was in contact with the police.
The developers have paid lip service to securing the site and continued to allow Graffiti, debris, abandoned cars as well as other indicators of the Broken Windows Theory build up on the site. This was not helped by both Wiltshire Councils and Wiltshire Polices unwillingness to use the full tools and legislation available to force the developers to act.
My fear is that now that the company is in administration, there will be little appetite on the administrator’s behalf to spend any money maintaining the security of the site, more break-ins will then occur, and someone will get hurt or even killed.
Should the town buy it?
It has been suggested to me, by another councillor, that the Town Council consider purchasing the site, using a Public Works Loan, however I would not be comfortable saddling the residents of this town with such a financial burden, which could potentially extend into the tens of millions of pounds.