Plans for 50 houses in West Lavington approved by council

Local firms Gaiger Properties and Crossmolina have had plans to build 50 houses on land off Lavington Lane approved by Wiltshire Council. 

Council representative for the Lavingtons, Dominic Muns said the site was identified in the neighbourhood plan as being suitable for development. 

“It is a textbook way that housing developments should be put together,” he said. 

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“Gaiger looked at that site, which they owned at the time, and worked with the parish council over the following years to put together a plan.

“It answers perfectly the local need for new housing, it fits perfectly with the neighbourhood plan and they’ve taken on board all the criticism, comments and feedback which came about as part of the neighbourhood plan.” 

Illustrative master plan for 50 houses off Lavington Lane

The councillor went on to say that through various meetings with residents plans were revisited “again and again”. 

Developers believed that access should come off Lavington Lane in order to stop the roads becoming congested for pick up and drop offs at the nearby Dauntsey Academy primary school.

Cllr Muns said that national policy was to get motorists to a main road in as short a distance as possible. 

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This is where he told the Gazette that Gaigers stuck its heels in and with the support of the parish council work up plans to make the access work. 

In its comments on the bid, West Lavington Parish Council wrote that it approved of the proposed signal pedestrain crossing on Lavington Lane.

“I think that that is testament to the importance of having local developers who are properly invested in the community,” continued Cllr Muns. 

Cllr Muns added that residential development fulfils the village's housing requirement.