Plans for more than 400 homes near M4 given go-ahead
It has been accepted
Last updated 19th Jun 2026
Proposals to build more than 400 houses near the M4 have been given the go-ahead – despite fears about traffic, services, and water supply.
Catesby Estates wants to build the homes, along with a Local Centre and primary school on 25 hectares at Midge Hall Farm, Royal Wootton Bassett.
Wiltshire Council planning officers said the scheme should be granted outline planning permission, but matter was “called in” by the ward councillor, meaning elected members on the Strategic Planning Committee were asked to make the final decision.
The meeting heard from Royal Wootton Bassett Town Councillor Cllr Steve Walls, who warned of “the danger of undesirable peace meal development unplanned in the area.”
He reminded committee members that this was one of four developments in various stages of the planning process on the east side of Royal Wootton Bassett.
He expressed concern about increased traffic levels using a “dangerous” junction to enter the estate, raised concerns about water supply, and said: “If this is approved, it will put a strain on local facilities such as health and education.”
Wiltshire Councillor Cllr Andrew Matthews (Royal Wootton Bassett East, Liberal Democrats) said: “This proposal for 425 dwellings within the parish of Lydiard Tregoze represents a significant expansion that would fundamentally alter the character of what remains a predominantly rural parish.
“While change is inevitable and new homes are needed, there is an important distinction between properly planned new communities and incremental expansion delivered through bolt-on estates.
“Increasingly, we are seeing the latter approach, which struggles to integrate fully with infrastructure and placemaking.
“Members should carefully consider whether a development of this scale is appropriate in this location and whether the impact on the parish of Lydiard Tregoze and the adjoining town of Royal Wootton Bassett has been properly addressed.”
He, too, raised concerns about the supply of clean water to the area.
Recent outages have been triggered by burst mains in the local area, including breaks on the main near Braydon, which feeds parts of north Wiltshire, leaving Royal Wootton Bassett and the surrounding area with no water or very low pressure.
Officers told both councillors that they had received assurances from Thames Water that the clean water infrastructure could cope.
Cllr Matthews was also concerned about the strain put on medical services by the new homes. “Local GP surgeries such as Tinker Lane in Royal Wootton Basset are reporting up to seven weeks’ wait for a standard GP appointment,” he said.
Officers said that although they had made it a condition for planning consent that space for new primary school and community buildings, which could include a GP surgery, were provided, “We can’t condition a GP. We can’t condition a dentist.
“But what we have secured is the space for those facilities,” along with “£441,000 towards NHS services.”
And Cllr Adrian Foster, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for housing, asked whether 65 per cent of the 40 per cent affordable home allocation would be for social rent.
Officers said the agreement had been drawn up before the new council policy came into force, but said that 102 of the 170 affordable units – 60 per cent – would be for social rent.
Following further discussion around traffic and roads, water supply, infrastructure, and services, nine members voted in favour of the application, with two abstaining.